EP1231556A1 - Data transmission system - Google Patents
Data transmission system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1231556A1 EP1231556A1 EP02002629A EP02002629A EP1231556A1 EP 1231556 A1 EP1231556 A1 EP 1231556A1 EP 02002629 A EP02002629 A EP 02002629A EP 02002629 A EP02002629 A EP 02002629A EP 1231556 A1 EP1231556 A1 EP 1231556A1
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- bonus
- identifier
- terminal equipment
- data
- data terminal
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q30/00—Commerce
- G06Q30/02—Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q30/00—Commerce
- G06Q30/02—Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
- G06Q30/0207—Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
- G06Q30/0211—Determining the effectiveness of discounts or incentives
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q50/00—Systems or methods specially adapted for specific business sectors, e.g. utilities or tourism
- G06Q50/10—Services
- G06Q50/12—Hotels or restaurants
Definitions
- the present invention relates to data transmission systems and, more specifically, to a data transmission system in which a server transmits files for details of shops and/or services, typically restaurants, to a potential customer's data terminal equipment.
- FIG. 27A is a block diagram showing a conventional data transmission system Sdtc.
- a WWW server 101 and data terminal equipment 102 are connected to each other via the Internet 103 for data communications therebetween.
- a printer 104 is connected to the data terminal equipment 102.
- the WWW server 101 stores several of a shop file Fshop, which is basically data about shop details and/or services (hereinafter, simply shop details) including a bonus coupon (see FIG. 27B) designed as the shop's owner wants.
- This bonus coupon is typically a discount coupon on meal charges.
- the data terminal equipment 102 accesses the WWW server 101 through the Internet 103 responding to a user's operation, and retrieves the shop file Fshop designated by the user.
- the data terminal equipment 102 then displays on its screen the shop details in the shop file Fshop.
- the shop file Fshop is transferred from the data terminal equipment 102 to the corresponding printer 104.
- the printer 104 then responsively prints out on paper the contents of the shop file Fshop, and resultantly outputted is a printed material Pout on which at least the coupon is printed as shown in FIG. 27B.
- the user brings the printed material Pout to the corresponding shop, and hands it to anyone working at the shop. It is not until that the user is entitled to receive the bonus.
- an object of the present invention is to provide a data transmission system which can offer better usability.
- the present invention has the following features to attain the object above.
- a first aspect of the present invention is directed to a data transmission system in which data communications is performed between first data terminal equipment placed on a bonus awarding side, and second data terminal equipment used by a user who is entitled to receive the bonus.
- the first data terminal equipment comprises a first bonus identifier storage for storing, as an internal bonus identifier, a bonus identifier provided to uniquely identify the bonus awarded to the second data terminal equipment.
- the second data terminal equipment comprises a bonus-attached file requesting part for requesting a bonus-attached file which is for the bonus, and including a bonus identifier which uniquely identifies the bonus; and a second bonus identifier storage for storing, as an external bonus identifier, the bonus identifier included in the bonus-attached file requested by the bonus-attached file requesting part.
- the first data terminal equipment further comprises a bonus identifier requesting part for requesting, through data communications with the second data terminal equipment, the external bonus identifier stored in the second bonus identifier storage; a determination part for determining whether or not the external bonus identifier requested by the bonus-identifier requesting part is the same as the internal bonus identifier stored in the first bonus identifier storage; and a bonus awarding part for providing, when the determination part determines that the external bonus identifier as being the same as the internal bonus identifier, the second data terminal equipment with the bonus specified by the internal bonus identifier.
- the second aspect of the present invention is directed to data terminal equipment connected with external data terminal equipment placed on a bonus awarding side for communications therewith, and used by a user who is entitled to receive the bonus .
- the external data terminal equipment stores, as an external bonus identifier, a bonus identifier provided to uniquely identify the bonus awarded to the data terminal equipment.
- the data terminal equipment comprises: a bonus-attached file requesting part for requesting a bonus-attached file which is for the bonus, and including a bonus identifier which uniquely identifies the bonus; and a bonus identifier storage for storing, as an internal bonus identifier, the bonus identifier included in the bonus-attached file requested by the bonus-attached file requesting part.
- the external data terminal equipment requests, through data communications with the second data terminal equipment, the internal bonus identifier stored in the second bonus identifier storage; determines whether or not the internal bonus identifier requested by the bonus-identifier requesting part is the same as the external bonus identifier stored in itself, and provides, when the internal bonus identifier is determined as being the same as the external bonus identifier, the data terminal equipment with the bonus specified by the internal bonus identifier.
- a third aspect of the present invention is directed to data terminal equipment connected with external data terminal equipment used by a user who is entitled to receive the bonus for data communications therewith.
- the data terminal equipment comprises a bonus identifier storage for storing, as an internal bonus identifier, a bonus identifier provided to uniquely identify the bonus awarded to the external data terminal equipment.
- the external data terminal equipment requests for a bonus-attached file which is for the bonus, and including a bonus identifier which uniquely identifies the bonus, and stores, as an external bonus identifier, the bonus identifier included in the requested bonus-attached file.
- the data terminal equipment further comprises: a bonus identifier requesting part for requesting the external bonus identifier stored in the external bonus identifier storage; a determination part for determining whether or not the external bonus identifier requested by the bonus-identifier requesting part is the same as the internal bonus identifier stored in the first bonus identifier storage; and a bonus awarding part for providing, when the determination part determines that the external bonus identifier as being the same as the internal bonus identifier, the external data terminal equipment with the bonus specified by the internal bonus identifier.
- FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of a data transmission system Sdt 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
- the data transmission system Sdt 1 roughly includes a WWW (World Wide Web) server 1 1 , data terminal equipment 2 1 , and data terminal equipment 3 1 .
- the WWW server 1 1 , and the data terminal equipment 2 1 and 3 1 are so structured as to be accessible to the Internet 4 1 .
- at least the WWW server 1 1 can perform data communications with the data terminal equipment 2 1 and 3 1 over the Internet 4 1 .
- the data terminal equipment 2 1 and 3 1 can perform data communications therebetween over a wireless transmission path 5 1 .
- the WWW server 1 1 is managed by an information provider, who stores a bonus-attached file Fbonus1 (see FIG. 3B) in the WWW server 1 1 responding to a request from the shop, and by using the bonus-attached file Fnonus1, provides the shop details to the user.
- the WWW server 1 1 includes, as shown in FIG. 2, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 1 , ROM (Read Only Memory) 12 1 , RAM (Random Access Memory) 13 1 , a form data storage 14 1 , a bonus-attached file storage 15 1 , and a communications controller 16 1 .
- the CPU 11 1 goes through various processes by following a computer program (hereinafter, simply refers to as a program) Psrvr which is previously recorded on the ROM 12 1 .
- a program a computer program
- Psrvr a computer program
- the form data storage 14 1 is typically composed of a hard disk drive, and stores form data Dform1 (see FIG. 3A) in a storage location specified by a predetermined first URL (Uniform Resource Locator) .
- the bonus-attached file storage 15 1 stores a bonus-attached file Fbonus1 (see FIG. 3B) in a storage location specified by a predetermined second URL.
- the bonus-attached file storage 15 1 also stores a base file Fbase1 in a predetermined storage location.
- the base file Fbase1 represents the background of the bonus-attached file Fbonus1, and is used when the WWW server 1 1 creates the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 (see sequence SQ8 of FIG. 6).
- the base file Fbase1 is used only by the WWW server 1 1 , and thus there is no need to assign a URL to indicate where the base file Fbase1 has been stored.
- the communications controller 16 1 sends out various data transferred from the RAM 13 1 to the Internet 4 1 , or receives various data transmitted over the Internet 4 1 and transfers the data to the RAM 13 1 .
- Such an input form Fin1 as shown in FIG. 3A can be displayed at least by the data terminal equipment 2 1 .
- the input form Fin1 is so structured as to allow someone working in the shop (typically shopkeeper or his or her employees) using the data terminal equipment 2 1 to fill out items IT, which are needed to create the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 .
- shopkeeper typically shopkeeper or his or her employees
- items IT which are needed to create the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 .
- the items IT to be filled out in the present embodiment are four of those ITname, ITinfo, ITcob, and ITiob selected by the information provider.
- the item ITname is a shop name
- the item ITinfo is shop information, including a shop address, a phone number, or a map around the shop, or at least two of those.
- the item ITcob is details of a bonus, which denotes herein a merit awarded specially to the user who becomes the customer of the shop.
- the item ITiob is a bonus identifier IDbonus for uniquely identifying the bonus.
- the shopkeeper using the data terminal equipment 2 1 fills out those input columns with, respectively, a shop name (item ITname ), shop information (item ITinfo ), bonus details (item ITcob ), and the corresponding bonus identifier IDbonus (item ITiob ).
- the input form Fin1 has a transmission button Btx1, a function assigned to which is of transmitting the items ITname, ITinfo, ITcob , and ITiob filled out in the input columns Cname, Cinfo, Ccob, and Ciob to the WWW server 1 1 .
- the transmission button Btx1 is clicked by the shopkeeper using the data terminal equipment 2 1 .
- the data terminal equipment 2 1 responsively transmits, to the WWW server 1 1 , item data Ditem1 (see FIG. 6) including those inputted items ITname, ITinfo, ITcob, and ITiob .
- the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 which is created by the WWW server 1 1 using the item data Ditem1 and base data Dbase1 .
- shop details INshop1 as shown in FIG. 3B can be displayed at least on the data terminal equipment 3 1 side.
- the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 herein represents a shop name (item ITname ), shop information (item ITinfo ), bonus details (item ITcob ), and the corresponding bonus identifier IDbonus (Item ITiob).
- the data terminal equipment 2 1 is an information device which is placed on the shop side, and operated by the shopkeeper.
- the data terminal equipment 2 1 includes, as shown in FIG. 4, a CPU 21 1 , ROM 22 1 , RAM 23 1 , an input unit 24 1 , an output unit 25 1 , a bonus identifier storage 26 1 , a first communications controller 27 1 , and a second communications controller 28 1 .
- the CPU 21 1 goes through various processes by following a computer program (hereinafter, simply a program) Psdte which is previously recorded on the ROM 22 1 . When executing the program Psdte, the CPU 21 1 uses the RAM 23 1 as a working area.
- the input unit 24 1 is typically composed of both a keyboard and a mouse, and therethrough, commands and data are inputted into the data terminal equipment 2 1 .
- the output unit 25 1 typically includes a display, and externally outputs a processing result of the CPU 21 1 as images.
- the bonus identifier storage 26 1 is typically composed of a hard disk drive, and stores the above described bonus identifier IDbonus.
- the first communications controller 27 1 sends out various data transferred from the RAM 23 1 to the Internet 4 1 , or receives various data transmitted over the Internet 4 1 and transfers the data to the RAM 23 1 . Since often immovably placed in the shop, the data terminal equipment 2 1 is preferably accessible to the Internet 4 1 using digital subscriber lines, for example.
- the second communications controller 28 1 sends out various data transferred from the RAM 23 1 to the wireless transmission path 5 1 , or receives various data transmitted over the wireless transmission path 5 1 and transfers the data to the RAM 23 1 .
- the typical standard for wireless communications is Bluetooth.
- the data terminal equipment 3 1 is an information device typified by PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), navigation devices, or mobile phones, and structured as being carried along by the user, i.e., the shop customer.
- the data terminal equipment 3 1 includes, as shown in FIG. 5, a CPU 31 1 , ROM 32 1 , RAM 33 1 , an input unit 34 1 , an output unit 35 1 , a bonus identifier storage 36 1 , a first communications controller 37 1 , and a second communications controller 38 1 .
- the CPU 31 1 goes through various processes by following a computer program (hereinafter, simply a program) Pudte which is previously recorded on the ROM 32 1 .
- the CPU 31 1 When executing the program Pudte, the CPU 31 1 uses the RAM 33 1 as a working area.
- the input unit 34 1 is typically composed of a pen or a keyboard, and therethrough, commands and data are inputted into the data terminal equipment 3 1 .
- the output unit 35 1 typically includes a display, and externally outputs a processing result of the CPU 31 1 as images.
- the bonus identifier storage 36 1 is typically composed of a hard disk drive, and stores the above described bonus identifier IDbonus.
- the first communications part 37 1 sends out various data transferred from the RAM 33 1 to the Internet 4 1 , or receives various data transmitted over the Internet 4 1 and transfers the data to the RAM 33 1 .
- the first communications controller 37 1 is preferably structured as to be accessible to the Internet 4 1 using mobile phones or public telephones for ISDN (Integrated Service Digital Network) because the data terminal equipment 3 1 is carried along by the user.
- the second communications controller 38 1 sends out, in accordance with the same standard as the second communications controller 28 1 for the short-range wireless communications, various data transferred from the RAM 33 1 to the wireless transmission path 5 1 , or transfers various data transmitted over the wireless transmission path 5 1 to the RAM 33 1 .
- FIGS. 6 to 8 described next is data communications performed in the data transmission system Sdt 1 .
- FIG. 6 described first is data communications between the WWW server 1 1 and the data terminal equipment 2 1 .
- the shopkeeper operates the data terminal equipment 2 1 to request the information provider to create and store a bonus-attached file Fbonus1 for his or her shop.
- the CPU 21 1 executes a process written in the program Psdte responding to the shopkeeper's operation. More in detail, the CPU 21 1 first accesses the Internet 4 1 (sequence SQ1).
- the shopkeeper enters the first URL through operation of the input unit 24 1 .
- the CPU 21 1 responsively generates on the RAM 23 1 a request RSfd1 including the first URL, and transfers it to the first communications controller 27 1 .
- the request RSfd1 is a signal for requesting the WWW server 1 1 to transmit the form data Dform1 to the data terminal equipment 2 1 .
- the first communications controller 27 1 sends out thus received request RSfd1 onto the Internet 4 1 . In such a manner, a request is made for the form data Dform1 (sequence SQ2).
- the request RSfd1 is forwarded over the Internet 4 1 to the communications controller 16 1 in the WWW server 1 1 , and then transferred to the RAM 13 1 .
- the CPU 11 1 executes a process written in the program PSrvr. To be specific, the CPU 11 1 extracts the first URL from the request RSfd1 on the RAM 13 1 , and then from the storage location of the form data storage 14 1 which is specified by the first URL, reads the form data Dform1 onto the RAM 13 1 . Then, the CPU 11 1 transfers the form data Dform1 on the RAM 13 1 to the communications controller 16 1 .
- the communications controller 16 1 sends out the form data Dform1 onto the Internet 4 1 (sequence SQ3).
- the form data Dform1 is forwarded over the Internet 4 1 to the first communications controller 27 1 in the data terminal equipment 2 1 , and then transferred to the RAM 23 1 .
- the CPU 21 1 transfers the form data Dform1 on the RAM 23 1 to the output unit 25 1 .
- the output unit 25 1 performs a display process in accordance with the received form data Dform1 so as to display on its screen such an input form Fin1 as shown in FIG. 3A (sequence SQ4).
- the shopkeeper operates the input unit 24 1 to fill out the input columns Cname, Cinfo, Ccob, and Ciob with, respectively, the shop name (item ITname), the shop information (item ITinfo), the bonus details (item ITcob), and the corresponding bonus identifier IDbonus (item ITiob ).
- the shop name item ITname
- the shop information item ITinfo
- the bonus details item ITcob
- the corresponding bonus identifier IDbonus item ITiob
- the shopkeeper herein presumably fills out the input column Cname with the shop name "pub X”, attaches a map image around the pub X to the input column Cinfo as shop information, fills out the input column Ccob with "20% OFF on meal charges” as bonus details, and fills out the input column Ciob by "yyyy” as the bonus identifier IDbonus.
- the shopkeeper clicks the transmission button Btx1 through the input unit 24 1 .
- the CPU 21 1 creates the item data Ditem1 including those inputted items ITname, ITinfo, ITcob, and ITiob on the RAM 23 1 (sequence SQ5).
- the CPU 21 1 stores the inputted bonus identifier IDbonus to the bonus identifier storage 26 1 (sequence SQ6).
- the bonus identifier IDbonus stored in sequence SQ6 is referred to as an internal bonus identifier IDbonus' in the below.
- the internal bonus identifier IDbonus' is used in sequence SQ22 which will be later described, so that details thereof are left for later description.
- the timing for sequence SQ6 is not restrictive as long as being carried out after the bonus identifier IDbonus is entered by the shopkeeper, and before sequence SQ22 is carried out.
- stored in sequence SQ6 is yyyy (see FIG. 9).
- the CPU 21 1 transfers the item data Ditem1 on the RAM 23 1 to the first communications controller 27 1 , from which the item data Ditem1 is sent out onto the Internet 4 1 (sequence SQ7).
- the item data Ditem1 is forwarded over the Internet 4 1 to the communications controller 16 1 in the WWW server 1 1 , and then transferred to the RAM 13 1 . Then, the CPU 11 1 creates a bonus-attached file Fbonus1 (sequence SQ8). To be more specific, the CPU 11 1 reads the base file Fbase1 to the RAM 13 1 from the bonus-attached file storage 15 1 . Then, the CPU 11 1 arranges the items ITname, ITinfo, ITcob, and ITiob included in the item data Ditem1 onto each predetermined position on the background represented by the base file Fbase1. In this manner, the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 is created. Assuming that the items ITname, ITinfo, ITcob, and ITiob are those shown in FIG. 9, the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 will be the one shown in FIG. 3B.
- the CPU 11 1 allocates the second URL to the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 on the RAM 13 1 , and then to the storage location of the bonus-attached file storage 15 1 specified by the second URL, stores the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 (sequence SQ9). This allows the user's data terminal equipment 3 1 to request the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 in sequence SQ14 of FIG. 7.
- the CPU 11 1 transfers it to the communications controller 16 1 .
- the storage completion acknowledgement ASsc1 is a signal including a message telling that the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 is now stored in the bonus-attached file storage 15 1 , and is forwarded to the data terminal equipment 2 1 .
- the communications controller 16 1 sends out thus received storage completion acknowledgement ASsc1 onto the Internet 4 1 (sequence SQ10).
- the storage completion acknowledgement ASsc1 is forwarded over the Internet 4 1 to the first communications controller 27 1 in the data terminal equipment 2 1 , and then transferred to the RAM 23 1 .
- the CPU 21 1 transfers the storage completion acknowledgement ASsc1 thus stored in the RAM 23 1 to the output unit 25 1 .
- the output unit 25 1 executes a display process in accordance with the received storage completion acknowledgement ASsc1 , and then displays on its screen the message included therein (sequence SQ11). This makes the shopkeeper acknowledge that his or her request is now processed by the information provider, i.e., the WWW server 1 1 . Then, the CPU 21 1 cuts off access to the Internet 4 1 (sequence SQ12).
- sequences SQ1 to SQ12 are presumed to be gone through successively for convenience.
- the CPU 21 1 may cut off access to the Internet 4 1 . This is because it may take time to create the bonus-attached file Fbonus1, and if so, the shopkeeper may have to wait long, and may be charged for extra communications expenses.
- the WWW server 1 1 preferably transmits an e-mail including the same message as in the storage completion acknowledgement ASsc1 to the data terminal equipment 2 1 . The shopkeeper thus can read the message whenever convenient, thereby shortening waiting time and reducing communications expenses.
- the CPU 31 1 executes a process written in the program Pudte responding to the user's operation. More specifically, the CPU 31 1 accesses the Internet 4 1 (sequence SQ13).
- the user operates the input unit 34 1 to enter the second URL.
- the CPU 31 1 generates on the RAM 33 1 a request RSsd1 including the second URL, and transfers it to the first communications controller 37 1 .
- the request RSsd1 is a signal for requesting the WWW server 1 1 to forward the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 to the data terminal equipment 3 1 .
- the first communications controller 37 1 sends out the received request RSsd1 onto the Internet 4 1 . As such, a request is made for the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 (sequence SQ14).
- the request RSsd1 is forwarded over the Internet 4 1 to the communications controller 16 1 in the WWW server 1 1 , and then transferred to the RAM 13 1 .
- the CPU 11 1 executes a process written in the program Psrvr. To be specific, the CPU 11 1 extracts the second URL from the request RSsd1 on the RAM 13 1 , and from the storage location of the bonus-attached file storage 15 1 specified by the second URL, reads the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 onto the RAM 13 1 . Then, the CPU 11 1 transfers the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 on the RAM 13 1 to the communications controller 16 1 , from which the received bonus-attached file Fbonus1 is sent out onto the Internet 4 1 (sequence SQ15).
- the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 is forwarded over the Internet 4 1 to the first communications controller 37 1 in the data terminal equipment 3 1 , and then transferred to the RAM 33 1 .
- the CPU 31 1 then transfers the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 on the RAM 33 1 to the output unit 35 1 .
- the output unit 35 1 executes a display process in accordance with the received bonus-attached file Fbonus1, and displays on its screen an image representing the shop details INshop1 (sequence SQ16). In this manner, the shop details INshop1 becomes available for the user to browse.
- the user is assumed to browse the one shown in FIG. 3B.
- sequence SQ16 if the user decides to go to the displayed shop, and if he or she wants to get the bonus offered by the shop, the user operates the input unit 34 1 to instruct as such.
- the CPU 31 1 stores the bonus identifier IDbonus included in the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 on the RAM 33 1 into the bonus identifier storage 36 1 (sequence SQ17).
- the bonus identifier IDbonus thus stored in sequence SQ17 is now referred to as an external bonus identifier IDbonus".
- the external bonus identifier IDbonus is used in sequence SQ22 which will be described later, and thus is not described in detail here.
- the external bonus identifier IDbonus" this time is yyyy (see FIG. 3B).
- sequence SQ17 After sequence SQ17 is through, the CPU 21 1 cuts off access to the Internet 4 1 (sequence SQ18).
- sequence SQ18 the user carries the data terminal equipment 3 1 with him or her to get services from the target shop, and/or make purchases thereat.
- the target shop is the one displayed in sequence SQ16.
- the target shop is the pub X shown in the shop details INshop1 of FIG. 3B.
- the user receives the bonus displayed in sequence SQ16 from the target shop. To receive the bonus, such data communications as shown in FIG. 8 is performed between the data terminal equipment 2 1 and 3 1 .
- the CPU 21 1 in the data terminal equipment 2 1 executes a process written in the program Psdte responding to the shopkeeper's operation.
- the CPU 21 1 establishes a connection with the data terminal equipment 3 1 in accordance with the standard for the short-range wireless communications (sequence SQ19). After such a connection establishment, the CPU 31 1 on the data terminal equipment 3 1 side executes a process written in the program Pudte.
- the CPU 21 1 generates a request RSiob on the RAM 33 1 , and transfers it to the second communications controller 28 1 .
- the request RSiob is a signal for requesting the data terminal equipment 3 1 to transmit the external bonus identifier IDbonus" to the data terminal equipment 2 1 .
- the second communications controller 28 1 sends out the received request RSiob onto the wireless transmission path 5 1 . As such, a request is made for the bonus identifier (sequence SQ20).
- the request RSiob is forwarded over the wireless transmission path 5 1 to the second communications controller 38 1 in the data terminal equipment 3 1 , and then transferred to the RAM 33 1 .
- the CPU 31 1 reads the external bonus identifier IDbonus" from the bonus identifier storage 36 1 onto the RAM 33 1 .
- the CPU 31 1 transfers the external bonus identifier IDbonus" on the RAM 33 1 to the second communications controller 38 1 , from which the received external bonus identifier IDbonus" is sent out onto the wireless transmission path 5 1 (sequence SQ21).
- the external bonus identifier IDbonus is forwarded over the wireless transmission path 5 1 to the second communications controller 28 1 in the data terminal equipment 2 1 , and then transferred to the RAM 23 1 . Then, the CPU 21 1 reads the internal bonus identifier IDbonus' from the bonus identifier storage 26 1 onto the RAM 23 1 .
- the timing for reading the internal bonus identifier IDbonus' is not restrictive as long as it is after sequence SQ19, and before sequence SQ22.
- the RAM 23 1 stores both the internal and external bonus identifiers IDbonus' and IDbonus".
- the CPU 21 1 determines whether the external bonus identifier IDbonus" is the same as the internal bonus identifier IDbonus' (sequence SQ22).
- the CPU 21 1 determines that the user is the one visiting the shop due to the shop details INshop1 , and the procedure goes to sequence SQ23. Then, the CPU 21 1 executes a process of awarding the bonus to the user (sequence SQ23).
- the user is assumed as visiting the shop due to the shop details INshop1 of FIG. 3B
- the external bonus identifier IDbonus" stored in the data terminal equipment 3 1 is yyyy.
- the target shop is assumed as being the one in the shop details INshop1 of FIG.
- the internal bonus identifier IDbonus' stored in the data terminal equipment 2 1 is yyyy. Accordingly, the user gets a bonus of 20% OFF on meal charges.
- the CPU 21 1 has the output unit 25 1 displayed the resultant 20% deducted amount of charge. The shopkeeper accordingly charges the user for the amount displayed on the display 25 1 .
- sequence SQ23 After sequence SQ23 is through, the CPU 21 1 cuts off the connection with the data terminal equipment 3 1 (sequence SQ24).
- sequence SQ22 again.
- the CPU 21 1 determines that the user is not the one visiting the shop due to the shop details INshop1 , and thus sequence SQ23 is skipped and SQ24 is carried out. In other words, the CPU 21 1 does not give the bonus to the user.
- the CPU 21 1 From the viewpoint of bonus award only to the users visiting the shop due to the shop details INship1 , it is more preferable for the CPU 21 1 to go through sequence SQ23 only when the external bonus identifier IDbonus" is the same as the internal bonus identifier IDbonus' .
- the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 includes a bonus identifier IDbonus, which is stored in sequence SQ6 into the data terminal equipment 2 1 on the shop side as the internal bonus identifier IDbonus', and stored in sequence SQ17 into the user's data terminal equipment 3 1 as the external bonus identifier IDbonus".
- the data terminal equipment 2 1 receives the external bonus identifier IDbonus" from the data terminal equipment 3 1 , and if determines it as being the same as the internal bonus identifier IDbonus' stored therein, gives the user the bonus in the bonus-attached file Fbonus1. Accordingly, the user has no more need to print out coupons, and in this respect, the data transmission system Sdt 1 realizes better usability than the conventional.
- the bonus is exemplified by 20% OFF on meal charges.
- the bonus may be points to be provided according to the amount of charge.
- the data terminal equipment 2 1 or 3 1 calculates the user's points in total, and the shop correspondingly provides the user with gifts or service.
- Such a point service is also applicable to second and third embodiments in the below.
- the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 is specifically for a pub. However, any other shops and facilities whichever the user can visit are surely possible to be included in the bonus-attached file Fbonus1.
- the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 may be assigned with at least a bonus and the corresponding bonus identifier IDbonus, by which the location where the bonus is available is indicated.
- the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 may also include some other types of information. For example, if the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 is the one for a boutique, any information relating to sales to be held thereat may be additionally included, or for a vacationland, any information about their event schedule, and if for any user gathering facilities such as movie theaters, any information about the crowding level or the waiting time.
- the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 may include menu information or bonuses of any specific celebrity's favorite restaurants, or sale information or bonuses of any specific boutiques. This is also applicable to the second and third embodiments in the below.
- the data terminal equipment 2 1 and 3 1 exemplarily perform data communications using the wireless transmission path 5 1 .
- a wired transmission path e.g., USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable
- the Internet 4 1 may be used for data communications of FIG. 8 between the data terminal equipment 2 1 and 3 1 . This is also applicable to the second and third embodiments below.
- the data terminal equipment 3 1 exchanges the external bonus identifier IDbonus" with the data terminal equipment 2 1 through the wireless transmission path 5 1 (sequences SQ21 and SQ22 of FIG. 8).
- the data terminal equipment 2 1 and 3 1 are each provided with a card memory slot of the same standard.
- the card memory is typified by an SD CardTM, SmartmediaTM, or a MemoryStickTM.
- the data terminal equipment 3 1 uses the card memory whichever inserted into its slot as the bonus identifier storage 36 1 , in which the external bonus identifier IDbonus" is stored.
- Such a card memory is extracted from the slot on the data terminal equipment 3 1 in the shop, and inserted into the slot on the data terminal equipment 2 1 .
- the CPU 21 1 responsively reads from the memory the external bonus identifier IDbonus" to the RAM 23 1 . This is also applicable to the second and third embodiments in the below.
- the WWW server 1 1 exemplarily performs data communications with the data terminal equipment 2 1 and 3 1 over the Internet 4 1 (see FIGS. 6 and 7).
- any other networks as LAN (Local Area Network) may be used for the data communications.
- the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 may be stored not only in the WWW server 1 1 but in any different type of servers. This is also applicable to the second and third embodiments in the below.
- the WWW server 1 1 exemplarily stores the bonus-attached file Fbonus1.
- the data terminal equipment 2 1 may be provided with a function of the WWW server 1 1 for storing and transmitting the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 to the data terminal equipment 3 1 . This is also applicable to the second and third embodiments in the below.
- a single data terminal equipment 2 1 is presumed for convenience to perform both data communications of FIGS. 6 and 8. This is not restrictive, and two of the data terminal equipment 2 1 physically differed from each other may be provided, and one may be in charge of data communications of FIG. 6, and the other data communications of FIG. 8.
- the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 included in the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 is exemplarily a bonus and a bonus identifier IDbonus specifying the bonus.
- the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 may include a plurality of bonuses, and a plurality of bonus identifiers IDbonus for each uniquely specifying the bonuses.
- a URL may be used as the bonus identifier IDbonus because the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 and the bonus uniquely correspond to each other. This is also applicable to the second and third embodiments in the below.
- the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 is created by the WWW server 1 1 using the items IT forwarded from the data terminal equipment 2 1 .
- the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 may be created as below. That is, the shopkeeper may create a draft of the shop details INshop1 for his or her shop, and passes it to the information provider. Based on the draft, the information provider creates the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 representing the shop details INshop1 using a personal computer, for example, and uploads it to their WWW server 1 1 . In this case, there is no need for data communications as shown in FIG. 6. Further, the shopkeeper hands the draft directly to the information provider not over the Internet 4 1 , and as a result, the shopkeeper operates the data terminal equipment 2 1 less often. This is also applicable to the second and third embodiments in the below.
- the bonus identifier IDbonus is stored in the data terminal equipment 2 1 in the following three manners.
- the shopkeeper specifies a bonus identifier IDbonus when passing the draft of the shop details INshop1 to the information provider.
- the data terminal equipment 2 1 stores thus specified bonus identifier IDbonus into the bonus identifier storage 26 1 .
- the information provider allocates a bonus identifier IDbonus when creating the bonus-attached file Fbonus1, and notifies the bonus identifier IDbonus to the shopkeeper typically by an e-mail.
- the data terminal equipment 2 1 stores thus notified bonus identifier IDbonus in the bonus identifier storage 26 1 .
- the information provider allocates the bonus identifier IDbonus when creating the bonus-attached file Fbonus1. Because the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 indicates the bonus identifier IDbonus as already described, if the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 has been uploaded, the shopkeeper operates the data terminal equipment 2 1 to browse the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 for the shop details INshop1 , and derives the bonus identifier IDbonus therefrom. Responding to the shopkeeper's operation, the data terminal equipment 2 1 then stores thus derived bonus identifier IDbonus in the bonus identifier storage 26 1 .
- a data transmission system Sdt 1 ' as a modified example of the first embodiment.
- the data transmission system Sdt 1 ' is different from the data transmission system Sdt 1 in the respect that the WWW server 1 1 does not include the form data storage 14 1 , and performed therein is not data communications of FIG. 6 but that of FIG. 10. These are the only differences therebetween, and thus FIGS. 1 to 5, and FIGS. 7 to 9 are referred to for description in the below.
- the shopkeeper Prior to data communications of FIG. 10, the shopkeeper has the information provider allocated a storage location of the bonus-attached file storage 15 1 in the WWW server 1 1 . At this time, the shopkeeper is notified of homepage directory of the second URL, which is described in the above.
- the homepage directory is the one determined by the information provider, and specifies the storage location allocated to the shopkeeper.
- the shopkeeper creates the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 for his or her shop through operation of the data terminal equipment 2 1 , and uploads it to the WWW server 1 1 .
- the CPU 21 1 executes a process written in the program Psdte responding to the shopkeeper's operation.
- the CPU 21 1 creates the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 for the shop details INshop1 (see FIG. 3B) in response to the shopkeeper's operation (sequence SQ25).
- the CPU 21 1 arranges on the RAM 23 1 the items ITname, ITinfo, ITcob, and ITiob on the background (see the first embodiment for details), creating the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 for the shop details INshop1.
- the CPU 21 1 then stores thus inputted bonus identifier IDbonus (item ITiob used in sequence SQ25) on the RAM 23 1 into the bonus identifier storage 26 1 as the internal bonus identifier IDbonus' (sequence SQ26).
- sequence SQ26 is not restrictive as long as it is carried out after sequence SQ25, and before the data terminal equipment 3 1 requests for the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 (see sequence SQ14 of FIG. 7).
- the CPU 21 1 accesses the WWW server 1 1 responding to the shopkeeper's operation to upload thereto the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 created in sequence SQ25 (sequence SQ28). More specifically, the shopkeeper adds his or her preferred file name to the homepage directory notified by the information provider through operation of the input unit 24 1 , and specifies the second URL for the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 to be uploaded. The CPU 21 1 transfers the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 on the RAM 23 1 and the specified second URL to the first communications controller 27 1 , from which the received bonus-attached file Fbonus1 and the second URL are sent out onto the Internet 4 1 .
- the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 and the second URL are forwarded over the Internet 4 1 to the communications controller 16 1 in the WWW server 1 1 , and then transferred to the RAM 13 1 .
- the CPU 11 1 executes a process written in the program Psrvr.
- the CPU 11 1 then stores the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 on the RAM 13 1 into the storage location of the bonus-attached file storage 15 1 specified by the second URL on the RAM 13 1 (Sequence SQ29).
- the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 becomes available for the data terminal equipment 3 1 to request.
- the CPU 11 1 transfers it to the communications controller 16 1 , from which thus received storage completion acknowledgement ASsc1 is sent out onto the Internet 4 1 (sequence SQ30).
- the storage completion acknowledge ASsc1 is forwarded over the Internet 4 1 to the first communications controller 27 1 in the data terminal equipment 2 1 , and then transferred to the RAM 23 1 .
- the CPU 21 1 then transfers the storage completion acknowledgement ASsc1 thus stored in the RAM 23 1 to the output unit 25 1 .
- the output unit 25 1 then goes through a display process in accordance with the received storage completion acknowledgement ASsc1, and displays on its screen a message included therein (sequence SQ31). With the message, the shopkeeper can acknowledge that the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 is now stored in the WWW server 1 1 . Then, the CPU 21 1 cuts off access to the Internet 4 1 (sequence SQ32). Thereafter, data communications of FIGS. 7 and 8 is carried out.
- the shopkeeper can create freely the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 to suit his or her preferences only by being allocated with the homepage directory (i.e., storage location of the bonus-attached file storage 15 1 ) by the information provider.
- FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the structure of the data transmission system Sdt 2 .
- the data transmission system Sdt 2 roughly includes the WWW server 1 1 which is the same as in the first embodiment, data terminal equipment 2 2 and 3 2 , and a center station 6 2 .
- the WWW server 1 1 and the data terminal equipment 2 2 and 3 2 are so structured as to be accessible to the Internet 4 1 , which is the same as in the first embodiment.
- the WWW server 1 1 at least can perform data communications with the data terminal equipment 2 2 and 3 2 over the Internet 4 1 .
- the data terminal equipment 2 2 and 3 2 can perform data communications over the wireless transmission path 5 1 , which is the same as in the first embodiment. Also, the data terminal equipment 2 2 can perform data communications with the center station 6 2 over a wired or wireless transmission path 7 2 .
- the transmission path 7 2 is either a public line or a leased line.
- the data terminal equipment 2 2 is an information device which is, as is the data terminal equipment 2 1 , placed on the shop side, and operated by the shopkeeper.
- FIG. 12 shows the structure thereof.
- the data terminal equipment 2 2 of FIG. 12 further includes a third communications controller 29 2 .
- the third communications controller 29 3 sends out various data transferred from the RAM 23 1 to the transmission path 7 2 , or receives various data transmitted over the transmission path 7 2 and transfers the data to the RAM 23 1 .
- the data terminal equipment 3 2 is an information device structured as to be carried along by the user, the structure of which is shown in FIG. 13. Compared with the data terminal equipment 3 1 of FIG. 5, the data terminal equipment 3 2 of FIG. 13 further includes a personal data storage 39 2 . This is the only structural difference therebetween, and thus any constituent of FIG. 13 identical to that of FIG. 5 is provided with the same reference numeral, and not described again.
- the personal data storage 39 2 stores the user's personal data Duser.
- the personal data Duser is presumably composed of the user's credit card number, and the valid date of the credit card.
- the center station 6 2 is managed by a credit card provider, and performs a billing process with respect to the user.
- the center station 6 2 includes, as shown in FIG. 14A, a CPU 61 2 .
- ROM 62 2 ROM 62 2 , RAM 63 2 , a personal database storage 64 2 , and a communications controller 65 2 .
- the CPU 61 1 executes various processes by following a computer program Pss which is previously recorded on the ROM 62 2 . When executing the computer program Pss, the CPU 61 1 uses the RAM 63 2 as a working area.
- the personal database storage 64 2 is typically composed of a hard disk drive, and stores therein a personal database DBuser (see FIG. 14B) .
- the communications controller 65 2 sends out various data transferred from the RAM 63 2 to the transmission path 7 2 , or receives various data transmitted over the transmission path 7 2 and transfers the data to the RAM 63 2 .
- the personal database DBuser stores personal data Duser and status data Dstat for every user under contract to the credit card provider.
- the personal database DBuser is composed of, as shown in FIG. 14B, a plurality of unit records Runit21, each of which represents a user's status report of his or her credit card.
- the record unit Runit21 includes both the personal data Duser and the status data Dstat.
- the personal data Duser is, as already described, composed of the user's credit card number and its valid date.
- the status data Dstat at least includes the date when the user used the credit card, the shop name where the user used the credit card, and the user's amount of charge (charged amount Cdisc or Cnoml, which will be later described).
- Data communications between the WWW server 1 1 and the data terminal equipment 2 2 is the same as that of FIG. 6, and not described here. Also, data communications between the WWW server 1 1 and the data terminal equipment 3 2 is the same as that of FIG. 7, and not described here either.
- sequence SQ18 of FIG. 7 the user goes to the target shop with the data terminal equipment 3 2 to get services from the shop, make purchases thereat, and receive the corresponding bonus.
- data communications as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 is performed among the data terminal equipment 2 2 and 3 2 , and the center station 6 2 .
- the CPU 21 1 in the data terminal equipment 2 2 executes a process written in the program Psdte responding to the shopkeeper's operation. More specifically, the CPU 21 1 establishes a connection with the data terminal equipment 3 2 (sequence SQ33). After such a connection establishment, the CPU 31 1 on the data terminal equipment 3 2 side executes a process written in the program Pudte.
- the CPU 21 1 generates a request RSiau on the RAM 33 1 , and transfers it to the second communications controller 28 1 .
- the request RSiau is a signal for requesting the data terminal equipment 3 2 to transmit the external bonus identifier IDbonus" and the personal data Duser to the data terminal equipment 2 2 .
- the second communications controller 28 1 then sends out the received request RSiau onto the wireless transmission path 5 1 . In such a manner, a request is made for the bonus identifier and the personal data (sequence SQ34).
- the request RSiau is forwarded over the wireless transmission path 5 1 to the second communications controller 38 1 in the data terminal equipment 3 2 , and then transferred to the RAM 33 1 .
- the CPU 31 1 reads the external bonus identifier IDbonus" from the bonus identifier storage 36 1 onto the RAM 33 1 .
- the CPU 31 1 also reads the personal data Duser from the personal data storage 39 2 onto the RAM 33 1 .
- the CPU 31 1 transfers, to the second communications controller 38 1 , the external bonus identifier IDbonus" and the personal data Duser on the RAM 33 1 .
- the second communications controller 38 1 sends out thus received external bonus identifier IDbonus" and the personal data Duser onto the wireless transmission path 5 1 (sequence SQ35).
- the external bonus identifier IDbonus" and the personal data Duser are forwarded over the wireless transmission path 5 1 to the second communications controller 28 1 in the data terminal equipment 2 2 , and then transferred to the RAM 23 1 .
- the CPU 21 1 also reads out the internal bonus identifier IDbonus' from the bonus identifier storage 26 1 onto the RAM 23 1 .
- the timing for reading the internal bonus identifier IDbonus ' is not restrictive as long as it is between after sequence SQ33 and before sequence SQ36.
- the RAM 23 1 stores the personal data Duser, and the internal and external bonus identifiers IDbonus' and IDbonus".
- the CPU 21 1 determines whether the external bonus identifier IDbonus" is the same as the internal bonus identifier IDbonus' (sequence SQ36).
- the CPU 21 1 determines that the user is the one visiting the shop due to the shop details INshop1 , and the procedure goes to sequence SQ37. Then, the CPU 21 1 executes a process of awarding the bonus to the user (sequence SQ37).
- the user is assumed as visiting the shop due to the shop details INshop1 of FIG. 3B, and the external bonus identifier IDbonus" stored in the data terminal equipment 3 1 is yyyy.
- the target shop is assumed as being the one found in the shop details INshop1 of FIG.
- the CPU 21 1 calculates the resultant 20% deducted amount of charge, i.e., charge amount Cdisc.
- the CPU 21 1 then creates, on the RAM 23 1 , the status data Dstat including thus calculated charge amount Cdisc, the date, i.e., when the credit card is used, and the shop name.
- the shop name is assumed to be previously registered in the data terminal equipment 2 2 .
- the CPU 21 1 has the output unit 25 1 displayed the charge amount Cdisc for the user.
- sequence SQ37 After sequence SQ37 is through, the CPU 21 1 cuts off the connection with the data terminal equipment 3 2 (sequence SQ38).
- sequence SQ37 if the CPU 21 1 determines that the external bonus identifier IDbonus" is not the same as the internal bonus identifier IDbonus', the procedure goes to sequence SQ39 of FIG. 16.
- sequence SQ39 the CPU 21 1 executes a process of not giving the user the bonus, which is 20% OFF on meal charges in the above example. In such a case, the CPU 21 1 makes no discount on the user's meal charges in sequence SQ39, and the resultant amount charge is derived as the charge amount Cnoml.
- the CPU 21 1 then creates, on the RAM 23 1 , the status data Dstat including thus calculated charge amount Cnoml, the date, i.e., when the credit card is used, and the shop name.
- the CPU 21 1 has the output unit 25 1 displayed the charge amount Cnoml.
- sequence SQ37 After sequence SQ37 is through, the CPU 21 1 cuts off the connection with the data terminal equipment 3 2 (sequence SQ38).
- sequence SQ38 the CPU 21 1 establishes a connection with the center station 6 2 (sequence SQ39). After such a connection establishment, the CPU 61 2 on the center station 6 2 side executes a process written in the computer program Pss.
- sequence SQ39 the CPU 21 1 transfers, to the third communications controller 29 2 , the set of the personal data Duser and the status data Dstat on the RAM 23 1 .
- the third communications controller 29 2 sends out thus received set onto the transmission path 7 2 (sequence SQ40).
- the set of the personal data Duser and the status data Dstat is forwarded over the transmission path 7 2 to the communications controller 65 2 in the center station 6 2 , and then transferred to the RAM 63 2 .
- the CPU 61 1 performs a billing process (sequence SQ41). More specifically, the CPU 61 2 searches the personal database DBuser in the personal database storage 64 2 for any unit record Runit (hereinafter, referred to as a target unit record Runit') including the same personal data Duser on the RAM 63 2 .
- the CPU 61 1 fills the unit record Runit' with the charge amount Cdics (or Cnoml ), the date, and the shop name included in the status data Dstat on the RAM 63 2 . This is the end of the billing process.
- the CPU 61 2 After the billing process (sequence SQ41) is correctly through, the CPU 61 2 generates, on the RAM 63 2 , a billing completion acknowledgement ASchar to indicate as such, and transfers it to the communications controller 65 2 .
- the communications controller 65 2 sends out thus received billing completion acknowledgement ASchar onto the transmission path 7 2 (sequence SQ42).
- the billing completion acknowledgement ASchar is forwarded over the transmission path 7 2 to the third communications controller 29 2 in the data terminal equipment 2 2 , and then transferred to the RAM 23 1 . Then, the CPU 21 1 preferably goes through a process of issuing the bill (sequence SQ43), and the bill is handed to the user at the shop. After sequence SQ43, the CPU 21 1 cuts off the connection with the center station 6 2 (sequence SQ44).
- the CPU 61 2 determines whether the billing process (sequence SQ41) is failed to be correctly completed. If the billing process (sequence SQ41) is failed to be correctly completed, the CPU 61 2 generates, on the RAM 63 2 , an incompletion acknowledgement indicating as such, and forwards it to the data terminal equipment 2 2 via the communications controller 65 2 and the transmission path 7 2 . In response, the data terminal equipment 2 2 cancels all of the sequences so far carried out. As to such a case where the billing process (sequence SQ41) is not correctly through, no further description is given here as is not the scope of the present embodiment.
- the credit card provider charges the user based on the unit record Runit recorded on the personal database DBuser.
- the user can receive the bonus from the target shop as with the data transmission system Sdt 1 .
- the personal data Duser previously stored in the data terminal equipment 3 2 , the user can receive services from the shop or make purchases thereat with no cash payment. In this sense, the data transmission system Sdt 2 has better usability.
- the bonus may be points given to the user according to his or her meal charges.
- the data terminal equipment 2 2 or 3 2 calculates the user's points in total, and correspondingly provides the user with gifts or services.
- the CPU 21 1 calculates the charge amount Cnoml, and the corresponding points are provided to the user.
- the CPU 21 1 calculates the charge amount Cnoml in sequence SQ39, no point is provided to the user.
- a single data terminal equipment 2 2 is presumed for convenience to perform all of data communications of FIGS. 6, 15, and 16. This is not restrictive, and two of the data terminal equipment 2 2 physically differed from each other may be provided, and one may be in charge of data communications of FIG. 6, and the other data communications of FIGS. 15 and 16.
- the data terminal equipment 3 2 stores the user's credit card number and its valid date as the personal data Duser, and is provided with a function as credit cards.
- the data terminal equipment 3 2 may store the user's bank account number and its PIN (Personal Identification Number), and be provided with a function as debit cards.
- FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing the structure of the data transmission system Sdt 3 , which roughly includes a WWW server 1 3 , the same data terminal equipment 2 1 as in the first embodiment, and data terminal equipment 3 3 .
- the WWW server 1 3 , and the data terminal equipment 2 1 and 3 3 are so structured as to be accessible to the Internet 4 1 , which is the same as in the first embodiment.
- the WWW server 1 3 can perform data communications with the data terminal equipment 2 1 and 3 3 over the Internet 4 1 .
- the data terminal equipment 2 1 and 3 3 can perform data communications therebetween over the wireless transmission path 5 1 , which is the same as in the first embodiment.
- FIG. 18 shows the structure of the WWW server 1 3 , which is managed by an information provider.
- the information provider is the one who stores a bonus-attached file Fbonus3 (see FIG. 20B) in the WWW server 1 3 responding to a request from the shop, and by using the bonus-attached file Fnonus3, provides the shop details to the user.
- the WWW server 1 3 of FIG. 18 includes a form data storage 14 3 , a bonus-attached file storage 15 3 , and a conversion table storage 17 3 as alternatives to the form data storage 14 1 , and the bonus-attached file storage 15 1 .
- the form data storage 14 3 is typically composed of a hard disk drive, and stores form data Dform3 in a storage location specified by a predetermined first URL (Uniform Resource Locator) .
- a predetermined first URL Uniform Resource Locator
- the input form Fin3 is so structured as to allow the shopkeeper using the data terminal equipment 2 3 to fill out items IT, which are needed to create the bonus-attached file Fbonus3 .
- the items IT to be filled out in the present embodiment are three of those ITname, ITaddr, and ITnote selected by the information provider. Specifically, the item ITname is a shop name, and the item ITaddr is a shop address.
- the item ITnote is details of a bonus, which denotes herein a merit awarded specially to the user who becomes the customer of the shop.
- the input form Fin3 is structured by three input columns Cname, Caddr, and Cnote.
- the shopkeeper using the data terminal equipment 2 3 fills out those input columns Cname, Caddr, and Cnote with, respectively, a shop name (item ITname), a shop address (item ITaddr), and bonus details (item ITnote).
- the input form Fin3 has a transmission button Btx3, a function assigned to which is of transmitting the items ITname, ITaddr, and ITnote filled out in the input columns Cname, Caddr, and Cnote to the WWW server 1 3 .
- the transmission button Btx3 is clicked by the shopkeeper using the data terminal equipment 2 3 .
- the data terminal equipment 2 3 responsively transmits, to the WWW server 1 3 , item data Ditem3 (see sequence SQ44 of FIG. 23) including those inputted items ITname, ITaddr, and ITnote.
- the bonus-attached file storage 15 3 stores the bonus-attached file Fbonus3 (see FIG. 20B) in a storage location specified by a predetermined second URL.
- the bonus-attached file storage 15 3 also stores a base file Fbase3 in a predetermined storage location.
- the base file Fbase3 represents the background of the bonus-attached file Fbonus3, and is used when the WWW server 1 3 creates the bonus-attached file Fbonus3 (see sequence SQ46 of FIG. 23).
- the base file Fbase3 is used only by the WWW server 1 3 , and thus there is no need to assign a URL to the base file Fbase3.
- the bonus-attached file Fbonus3 is described in more detail.
- the bonus-attached file Fbonus3 is created by the WWW server 1 3 using the item data Ditem3 and base data Fbase3 (see sequence SQ46 of FIG. 23). With the bonus-attached file Fbonus3, such shop details INshop3 as shown in FIG. 20A can be displayed at least on the data terminal equipment 3 3 side.
- the bonus-attached file Fbonus3 is written in POIX (Point Of Interest exchange language).
- the bonus-attached file Fbonus3 is indicated by an element poi , and roughly composed of a shop name (referred to as a target in POIX), a representative shop position, and shop details.
- the shop name is indicated by an element name, and more specifically, written by a sub-element nb.
- the sub-element nb indicates the shop name in a specific form of ⁇ nb> shop name ⁇ /nb>.
- the representative shop position is indicated by an element point, and more specifically, written by a sub-element pos.
- the sub-element pos indicates the representative shop position, which is defined by, at least, latitude and longitude.
- An element lat indicates the latitude of the representative shop position, in a specific form of ⁇ lat>latitude ⁇ /lat>.
- An element lon indicates the longitude of the representative shop position, in a specific form of ⁇ lon>longitude ⁇ /lon>.
- the shop details are indicated by an element note , and written by letter characters.
- the specific form of the element note is ⁇ note>bonus details ⁇ /note>.
- the element note indicates in detail the bonus offered by the shop.
- the element note may indicate the menu of the shop in addition to the bonus.
- the bonus-attached file Fbonus3 includes such an element poi as shown in FIG. 20B, i.e., ⁇ nb> pub X ⁇ /nb>, ⁇ lat>35.50 ⁇ /lat>, ⁇ lon>135.75 ⁇ /lon>, and ⁇ note>20% OFF on meal charges ⁇ /note>.
- ⁇ nb> pub X ⁇ /nb> ⁇ lat>35.50 ⁇ /lat>
- ⁇ lon>135.75 ⁇ /lon> ⁇ note>20% OFF on meal charges ⁇ /note>.
- the display shows the specific location of the pub X as its address (see sequences SQ55 and SQ56 of FIG. 24). As the bonus for the user visiting the pub X due to the shop details INshop3, displayed is "20% OFF on meal charges”.
- the conversion table storage 173 has such a conversion table Tconv31 as shown in FIG. 21A.
- the conversion table Tconv31 is composed of a plurality of unit records Runit31, which are created on the basis of shop address, i.e., for every item ITaddr.
- the unit records Runit31 each include the shop address (item ITaddr ), and the set of latitude and the longitude indicating the representative position of the shop.
- Such a conversion table Tconv31 is used when the WWW server 1 3 creates the bonus-attached file Fbonus3 (see sequence SQ46 of FIG. 23).
- the conversion table Tconv31 is used only by the WWW server 1 3 , and thus there is no need to assign a URL to the conversion table Tconv31 .
- the data terminal equipment 3 3 is an information device which is typically structured as to be carried along by the user, i.e., the potential customer of the shop, and is provided with a navigation function. Such data terminal equipment 3 3 is typified by portable navigation devices.
- FIG. 22 shows the structure of the data terminal equipment 3 3 . Compared with the data terminal equipment 3 1 of FIG. 5, the data terminal equipment 3 3 of FIG. 22 further includes, at least, a cartographic database storage 310 3 , a receiver 311 3 , and a conversion table storage 312 3 . These are the only structural differences therebetween, and thus any constituent of FIG. 22 identical to that of FIG. 5 is provided with the same reference numeral, and not described again.
- the cartographic database storage 310 3 stores a cartographic database DBcart, which is composed of several cartographic files.
- a cartographic database DBcart which is composed of several cartographic files.
- the cartographic files each include image data for representing the area assigned thereto, and road network data for representing the road connections in the assigned area.
- the road network data is, schematically, structured by nodes and links.
- the nodes specify characteristic points (any of intersections, or curving points on roads) in the road network, while the links each denote a road between any two characteristics points.
- the receiver 311 3 is typically composed of a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver, and calculates the position of the data terminal equipment 3 3 based on position information transmitted from artificial satellites.
- the calculation result by the receiver 311 3 is defined by latitude and longitude, and transmitted to the CPU 311 1 .
- the GPS receiver is not restrictive to the receiver 311 3 as long as heteronomous navigation is realized thereby.
- heteronomous navigation is an antonym of autonomous navigation, and means navigation by which the position of the data terminal equipment 3 3 being a mobile unit can be derived based on the position information provided by any other positioning systems.
- the conversion table storage 312 3 stores such a conversion table Tconv32 as shown in FIG. 21B.
- the conversion table Tconv32 is composed of several of a unit record Runit32, which is created for every representative position Ptypc of FIG. 21A.
- the unit record Runit32 includes the representative position Ptypc, and the shop address (item ITaddr).
- Such a conversion table Tconv32 is used by the data terminal equipment 3 3 for creating display data Ddisp (see sequence SQ55 of FIG. 24).
- the shopkeeper operates the data terminal equipment 2 1 so as to request the information provider to create and store the bonus-attached file Fbonus3 for his or her shop.
- the CPU 21 1 executes a process written in the program Psdte responding to the shopkeeper's operation. More specifically, the CPU 21 1 first accesses the Internet 4 1 (sequence SQ40).
- the shopkeeper enters a first URL through operation of the input unit 24 1 .
- the CPU 21 1 generates on the RAM 23 1 a request RSfd3 including the first URL, and transfers it to the first communications controller 27 1 .
- the request RSfd3 is a signal for requesting the WWW server 1 3 to transmit the form data Dform3 to the data terminal equipment 2 1 .
- the first communications controller 27 1 sends out the received request RSfd3 onto the Internet 4 1 . As such, a request is made for the form data Dform3 (sequence SQ41).
- the request RSfd3 is forwarded over the Internet 4 1 to the communications controller 16 1 in the WWW server 1 3 , and then transferred to the RAM 13 1 .
- the CPU 11 1 executes a process written in the program Psrvr. Specifically, the CPU 11 1 extracts the first URL from the request RSfd3 on the RAM 13 1 , and then reads the form data DForm3 from the storage location in the form data storage 14 3 which is specified by the first URL onto the RAM 13 1 . Then, the CPU 11 1 transfers the form data Dform3 on the RAM 13 1 to the communications controller 16 1 , from which the form data Dform3 is sent out onto the Internet 4 1 (sequence SQ42).
- the form data Dform3 is forwarded over the Internet 4 1 to the first communications controller 27 1 in the data terminal equipment 2 1 , and then transferred to the RAM 23 1 .
- the CPU 21 1 then transfers the form data Dform3 on the RAM 23 1 to the output unit 25 1 .
- the output unit 25 1 then performs a display process in accordance with the received form data Dform3, and displays on its screen such an input form Fin3 as shown in FIG. 19A (sequence SQ43).
- the shopkeeper fills, through operation of the input unit 241, the input columns Cnames, Caddr, and Cnote with the shop name (item ITname ), the shop address (item ITaddr ), and the bonus details (item ITnote ).
- the shopkeeper herein presumably fills out the input column Cname with the shop name "pub X”, the input column Cadds with his or her shop address, and the input column Cnote with "20% OFF on meal charges" as bonus details.
- the shopkeeper clicks the transmission button Btx3 through the input unit 24 1 .
- the CPU 21 1 creates on the RAM 23 1 the item data Ditem3 including those inputted items ITname, ITaddr, and ITnote (sequence SQ44).
- the CPU 21 1 then transfers the item data Ditem3 on the RAM 23 1 to the first communications controller 27 1 , from which the item data Ditm3 is sent out onto the Internet 4 1 (sequence SQ45).
- the item data Ditem3 is forwarded over the Internet 4 1 to the communications controller 16 1 in the WWW server 1 3 , and then transferred to the RAM 13 1 .
- the CPU 11 1 creates the bonus-attached file Fbonus3 (sequence SQ46). More in detail, the CPU 11 1 reads a base file Fbase3 from the bonus-attached file storage 15 3 onto the RAM 13 1 . Then, the CPU 11 1 retrieves the item ITname (shop name) from the item data Ditem3 on the RAM 13 1 so as to create ⁇ nb>shop name ⁇ /nb> using the element nb. As to the item ITnote (bonus details), the CPU 11 1 creates ⁇ note>bonus details ⁇ /note> in the similar manner.
- the CPU 11 1 then retrieves the item ITaddr from the item data Ditem3 on the RAM 13 1 , and accesses to the conversion table Tconv31 stored in the conversion table storage 17 3 . Then, the CPU 11 1 searches for the unit record Runit31 including the retrieved item ITaddr (shop address), and from thus found unit record Runit31, reads the representative position Ptypc onto the RAM 13 1 . As to the latitude found in the representative position Ptypc, the CPU 11 1 creates ⁇ lat>latitude ⁇ /lat> using the element lat. Similarly to the longitude found therein, created is ⁇ lon>longitude ⁇ /lon> using the element lon.
- the CPU 11 1 then allocates thus created ⁇ nb>shop name ⁇ /nb>, ⁇ note>bonus details ⁇ /note>, ⁇ lat>latitude ⁇ /lat>, and ⁇ lon>longitude ⁇ /lon> each onto the predetermined position on the background represented by the base file Fbase3.
- a bonus-attached file Fbonus3 is created on the RAM 13 1 .
- the CPU 11 1 stores it in the storage location of the bonus-attached file storage 15 3 which is specified by the second URL (sequence SQ47).
- the bonus-attached file Fbonus3 becomes available in sequence SQ53 of FIG. 24 for the user's data terminal equipment 3 3 to request.
- the CPU 11 1 After sequence SQ47 is through, the CPU 11 1 generates a storage completion acknowledgement ASsc3 including the second URL assigned to the current bonus-attached file Fbonus3, and transfers it to the communications controller 16 1 .
- the storage completion acknowledgement ASsc3 is a signal including also a message telling that the bonus-attached file Fbonus3 is now stored in the bonus-attached file storage 15 3 .
- the communications controller 16 1 sends out thus received storage completion acknowledgement ASsc3 onto the Internet 4 1 (sequence SQ48).
- the storage completion acknowledgement ASsc3 is forwarded over the Internet 4 1 to the first communications controller 27 1 in the data terminal equipment 2 1 , and then transferred to the RAM 23 1 .
- the CPU 21 1 transfers the storage completion acknowledgement ASsc3 thus stored in the RAM 23 1 to the output unit 25 1 .
- the output unit 25 1 executes a display process in accordance with the received storage completion acknowledgement ASsc3 , and then displays on its screen the message included in the storage completion acknowledgement ASsc3 (sequence SQ49). This makes the shopkeeper acknowledge that his or her request is now processed by the information provider, i.e., the WWW server 1 3 .
- the CPU 21 1 then extracts the second URL from the storage completion acknowledgement ASsc3 on the RAM 23 1 , and stores it as the bonus identifier IDbonus in the bonus identifier storage 26 1 (sequence SQ50).
- the bonus identifier IDbonus is an identifier for uniquely identifying the bonus included in the bonus-attached file Fbonus3.
- the bonus identifier IDbonus stored in sequence SQ50 is now referred to as an internal bonus identifier IDbonus '.
- the internal bonus identifier IDbonus' is used in sequence SQ22 of FIG. 8 which will be described below, and thus is not described in detail now.
- the timing for sequence SQ50 is not restrictive as long as it is carried out after the storage completion acknowledgement ASsc3 is stored in the RAM 23 1 , and before sequence SQ22.
- sequence SQ50 the CPU 21 1 cuts off the access to the Internet 4 1 (sequence SQ51).
- sequences SQ40 to SQ51 are presumed to be gone through successively for convenience. This is not restrictive, and after sequence SQ45 is through, the CPU 21 1 may cut off access to the Internet 4 1 for a time. This is because, as described in the first embodiment, it may take time to create the bonus-attached file Fbonus3, and if so, the shopkeeper may have to wait long, and may be charged for extra communications expenses. If this is the case, the WWW server 1 3 preferably transmits an e-mail including the same message and the second URL as in the storage completion acknowledgement ASsc3 to the data terminal equipment 2 1 . Thereby, the shopkeeper can read the message and know the second URL as the bonus identifier IDbonus whenever convenient, shortening waiting time and reducing communications expenses.
- the CPU 31 1 executes a process written in the program Pudte responding to the user's operation. More specifically, the CPU 31 1 accesses the Internet 4 1 (sequence SQ52).
- the user operates the input unit 34 1 to enter the second URL.
- the CPU 31 1 generates on the RAM 33 1 a request RSsd3 including the second URL, and transfers it to the first communications controller 37 1 .
- the request RSsd3 is a signal for requesting the WWW server 1 1 to forward the bonus-attached file Fbonus3 to the data terminal equipment 3 3 .
- the first communications controller 37 1 sends out the received request RSsd3 onto the Internet 4 1 , As such, a request is made for the bonus-attached file Fbonus3 (sequence SQ53).
- the request RSsd3 is then stores in the RAM 13 1 via the communications controller 16 1 in the WWW server 1 1 .
- the CPU 11 1 reads the bonus-attached file Fbonus3 from the storage location of the bonus-attached file storage 15 3 , and transfers it to the communications controller 16 1 .
- the storage location in the bonus-attached file storage 15 3 is specified by the second URL in the request RSsd3.
- the communications controller 16 1 sends out the received bonus-attached file Fbonus3 onto the Internet 4 1 (sequence SQ54).
- the bonus-attached file Fbonus3 is stored in the RAM 33 1 via the Internet 4 1 , and the first communications controller 37 1 in the data terminal equipment 3 3 . Then, based on the bonus-attached file Fbonus3 on the RAM 33 1 , the CPU 31 1 creates display data Ddisp (sequence SQ55). More specifically, the CPU 31 1 extracts the representative position Ptypc from the bonus-attached file Fbonus3 on the RAM 33 1 , and accesses to the conversion table Tconv32 (see FIG. 21B) stored in the conversion table storage 312 3 . Then.
- the CPU 31 1 searches for the unit record Runit32 including thus extracted representative position Ptypc (latitude and longitude) , and from the found unit record Runit32, reads the shop address (item ITaddr) onto the RAM 13 1 .
- the CPU 11 1 then replaces ⁇ lat>latitude ⁇ /lat> and ⁇ lon>longitude ⁇ /lon> in the bonus-attached file Fbonus3 with the shop address (item ITaddr ), whereby a single piece of display data Ddisp is created on the RAM 13 1 .
- the display data Ddisp on the RAM 33 1 is transferred to the output unit 35 1 by the CPU 31 1 .
- the output unit 35 1 then executes a display process in accordance with the received display data Ddisp so as to display an image representing the shop details INshop3 (sequence SQ56). This allows the user to browse the shop details INshop3. Assuming here that the user browses the shop details INshop3 of FIG. 20A.
- sequence SQ55 if the user decides to go to the displayed shop and wants to get the bonus of the shop, he or she instructs as such through operation of the input unit 34 1 .
- the CPU 31 1 stores in the bonus identifier storage 36 1 the second URL of the current bonus-attached file Fbonus3 as the bonus identifier IDbonus (sequence SQ57).
- the bonus identifier IDbonus stored in sequence SQ56 is now referred to as an external bonus identifier IDbonus".
- the external bonus identifier IDbonus is the one used in sequence SQ22 of FIG. 22 below, and is not described here in detail.
- sequence SQ57 the CPU 31 1 cuts off access to the Internet 4 1 (sequence SQ58), and then determines that the user as heading for the target shop, and thus starts to search for a route from the user's current position to the shop (Sequence SQ59).
- the target shop is the one in the currently received bonus-attached file Fbonus3. Referring to the flowchart of FIG. 25, the procedure of sequence SQ59 is described more specifically.
- the CPU 31 1 sets a starting point and a destination of a route to be searched (step ST591).
- the CPU 31 1 receives the calculation result from the receiver 311 3 , and then sets the latitude and the longitude indicated thereby as the starting point. Then, the CPU 31 1 extracts the latitude and longitude indicated by the representative position Ptypc from the bonus-attached file Fbonus3.
- the user designates the starting point through operation of the input unit 34 1 .
- the CPU 31 1 sets thus designated starting point as it is. Even if so, the destination is the one defined by latitude and longitude indicated by the representative position Ptypc extracted from the bonus-attached file Fbonus3.
- step ST591 the CPU 31 1 reads, from the cartographic database DBcart in the cartographic database storage 310 3 to the RAM 33 1 , the road network data of an area needed in the next step ST593 (step ST592).
- step ST592 is the road network data of a rectangular region including both the starting point and the destination set in step ST581.
- the CPU 31 1 searches for an optimum route from the starting point to the destination using the road network data read in step ST592 (step ST593).
- the optimum route is derived by using a route selection algorithm typified by the Dijkstra's algorithm, and typically is a route which allows the user to reach his or her destination in the shortest time or distance.
- the CPU 31 1 creates route data representing, by nodes and links, the optimum route derived in step ST593 (step ST594). This is the end of the process of FIG. 25, and the procedure now goes to a user's guidance process of FIG. 24 (sequence SQ60). Referring to the flowchart of FIG. 26, the detailed procedure of sequence SQ60 is next described.
- the CPU 31 1 receives the calculation result from the receiver 311 3 , and estimates the latitude and longitude found therein as the user's current position (step ST601).
- the position information transmitted from artificial satellites previously includes an error, and thus it is preferable for the CPU 31 1 to correct those latitude and longitude based on correction information transmitted from a base station accommodated in D-GPS (Differential GPS).
- D-GPS Direct GPS
- the data terminal equipment 3 1 requires a receiver specifically for the D-GPS.
- the data terminal equipment 3 1 is preferably provided with a sensor for autonomous navigation.
- the data terminal equipment 3 1 is specifically designed for vehicles, typified example as a sensor for autonomous navigation is a vehicle-speed sensor or a gyro compass. If the data terminal equipment 3 1 is designed to be carried along (not for vehicles), a pedometer or an azimuth sensor is a typical sensor for autonomous navigation.
- step ST601 the CPU 31 1 reads, from the cartographic database DBcart in the cartographic database storage 310 3 to the RAM 33 1 , the cartographic file for the area around the user's current position (step ST602).
- the cartographic file reading is presumably never failed to be done after step ST601. This is not restrictive, and procedure may skip step ST602 as required.
- the CPU 31 1 creates guidance data (step ST603). More in detail, the CPU 31 1 rips one specific cartographic file on the RAM 33 1 for the display process on the output unit 35 1 this time. As to thus ripped cartographic file, the CPU 31 1 then applies a rendering process using a frame memory which is reserved in RAM 33 1 , and creates intermediate image data representing the map to be displayed. From the route data derived in sequence SQ59, the CPU 31 1 creates an object representing the route to the destination (the target shop) from the current position estimated in step ST601. The CPU 31 1 then blends to the intermediate image data the route object and an object representing a pointer pointing the user's current position together, thereby creating the guidance data.
- the guidance data represents an image resultantly derived by merging the user's current position and the route to the destination on the map to be displayed, and is transferred from the frame memory (RAM 33 1 ) to the output unit 35 1 .
- the output unit 35 1 then performs the display process in accordance with the received guidance data, and displays on its screen the map onto which the user's current position and the route to the destination are merged (step ST604).
- the CPU 31 1 determines whether the user's current position is the same as the destination (step ST605). If no, the CPU 31 1 determines that the user does not yet reach the target shop, i.e., destination, and the procedure returns to step ST601 to repeats steps ST601 to ST604. On the other hand, if the user's current position is the same as the destination, the CPU 31 1 determines that the user has reached the destination, and this is the end of the process of FIG. 26, and data communications of FIG. 24 is terminated.
- the user gets services from the target shop, make purchases thereat, and receives the corresponding bonus.
- the data terminal equipment 2 1 and 3 3 performs therebetween such data communications as shown in FIG. 8, which is not described again.
- the user can receive a bonus from the corresponding shop as with the data transmission system Sdt 1 . Further, the data terminal equipment 33 can make a guidance for the user to the target shop. In this sense, the data transmission system Sdt 3 has better usability.
- step ST593 not only searching for an optimum route from the starting point to the destination, if the user needs to use any public transportation such as trains, any helpful information may be displayed, i.e., timetable information about a station closest to the starting point or the destination, train type (e.g., express, local) to take, estimated time for reaching the closest station or the destination, the estimated time taken to the destination, the fare to the destination.
- train type e.g., express, local
- the data terminal equipment 3 1 may execute a process of making a reservation at the shop after searching for the optimum route from the starting point to the destination. Further, if noticing that the user may not be at the destination at the estimated time, or be at the shop in time before the reservation time, the data terminal equipment 3 1 may notify the user as such through display. In such a case, the data terminal equipment 3 1 may also executes a process of canceling the reservation or changing the reservation time.
- the data transmission systems Sdt 3 and Sdt 2 may be combined together, and therewith, the user may receive services from the shop, or make purchases thereat with no cash payment.
- a single data terminal equipment 2 3 is presumed for convenience to perform both data communications of FIGS. 23 and 8. This is not restrictive, and two of the data terminal equipment 2 3 physically differed from each other may be provided, and one may be in charge of data communications of FIG. 23, and the other data communications of FIG. 8.
- the data terminal equipment 2 3 on the shop side may provide the user any bonus which is considered better than the one in the bonus-attached file Fbonus3 .
- the WWW server 1 1 may search for any bonus-attached file Fbonus3 whose bonus is most advantageous for the user, and the found bonus-attached file Fbonus3 may be forwarded back to the data terminal equipment 3 3 .
Abstract
Data terminal equipment (31) receives a bonus-attached
file including a shop bonus provided to a user, and a bonus
identifier for uniquely identifying the bonus, and stores the
bonus identifier included in the bonus-attached file. Data
terminal equipment (21) previously stores another bonus
identifier for uniquely identifying the bonus provided to the user
of the data terminal equipment (31). Through data communications
with the data terminal equipment (31), the data terminal equipment
(21) requests the bonus identifier on the data terminal equipment
(31) side. If determining that the bonus identifier received from
the data terminal equipment (31) is as being the same as the data
identifier stored therein, the data terminal equipment (21)
provides the bonus specified by the bonus identifier to the user
of the data terminal equipment (31). In such a manner, the data
transmission system is improved in user's usability with no more
need for printing coupons.
Description
The present invention relates to data transmission
systems and, more specifically, to a data transmission system in
which a server transmits files for details of shops and/or
services, typically restaurants, to a potential customer's data
terminal equipment.
In recent years, the above type of data transmission
system has been realized using the Internet technology. FIG. 27A
is a block diagram showing a conventional data transmission system
Sdtc. In the data transmission system Sdtc, a WWW server 101 and
data terminal equipment 102 are connected to each other via the
Internet 103 for data communications therebetween. To the data
terminal equipment 102, a printer 104 is connected.
The WWW server 101 stores several of a shop file Fshop,
which is basically data about shop details and/or services
(hereinafter, simply shop details) including a bonus coupon (see
FIG. 27B) designed as the shop's owner wants. This bonus coupon
is typically a discount coupon on meal charges.
The data terminal equipment 102 accesses the WWW server
101 through the Internet 103 responding to a user's operation,
and retrieves the shop file Fshop designated by the user. The
data terminal equipment 102 then displays on its screen the shop
details in the shop file Fshop. By referring to the displayed
shop details including coupon, if the user decides to go to the
shop and wants to get the bonus offered by the coupon, he or she
instructs the data terminal equipment 102 to print out the coupon.
Responding to such an instruction, the shop file Fshop is
transferred from the data terminal equipment 102 to the
corresponding printer 104. The printer 104 then responsively
prints out on paper the contents of the shop file Fshop, and
resultantly outputted is a printed material Pout on which at least
the coupon is printed as shown in FIG. 27B. The user brings the
printed material Pout to the corresponding shop, and hands it to
anyone working at the shop. It is not until that the user is
entitled to receive the bonus.
The problem here is that, in such a data transmission
system Sdtc, the user has to bother to print out any coupon
whichever he or she wants, and bring it to the corresponding shop.
Therefore, in terms of usability, the data transmission system
Sdtc is not user friendly.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to
provide a data transmission system which can offer better
usability.
The present invention has the following features to
attain the object above.
A first aspect of the present invention is directed to
a data transmission system in which data communications is
performed between first data terminal equipment placed on a bonus
awarding side, and second data terminal equipment used by a user
who is entitled to receive the bonus. The first data terminal
equipment comprises a first bonus identifier storage for storing,
as an internal bonus identifier, a bonus identifier provided to
uniquely identify the bonus awarded to the second data terminal
equipment. The second data terminal equipment comprises a
bonus-attached file requesting part for requesting a bonus-attached
file which is for the bonus, and including a bonus
identifier which uniquely identifies the bonus; and a second bonus
identifier storage for storing, as an external bonus identifier,
the bonus identifier included in the bonus-attached file
requested by the bonus-attached file requesting part. The first
data terminal equipment further comprises a bonus identifier
requesting part for requesting, through data communications with
the second data terminal equipment, the external bonus identifier
stored in the second bonus identifier storage; a determination
part for determining whether or not the external bonus identifier
requested by the bonus-identifier requesting part is the same as
the internal bonus identifier stored in the first bonus identifier
storage; and a bonus awarding part for providing, when the
determination part determines that the external bonus identifier
as being the same as the internal bonus identifier, the second
data terminal equipment with the bonus specified by the internal
bonus identifier.
The second aspect of the present invention is directed
to data terminal equipment connected with external data terminal
equipment placed on a bonus awarding side for communications
therewith, and used by a user who is entitled to receive the bonus .
The external data terminal equipment stores, as an external bonus
identifier, a bonus identifier provided to uniquely identify the
bonus awarded to the data terminal equipment. The data terminal
equipment comprises: a bonus-attached file requesting part for
requesting a bonus-attached file which is for the bonus, and
including a bonus identifier which uniquely identifies the bonus;
and a bonus identifier storage for storing, as an internal bonus
identifier, the bonus identifier included in the bonus-attached
file requested by the bonus-attached file requesting part. The
external data terminal equipment requests, through data
communications with the second data terminal equipment, the
internal bonus identifier stored in the second bonus identifier
storage; determines whether or not the internal bonus identifier
requested by the bonus-identifier requesting part is the same as
the external bonus identifier stored in itself, and provides, when
the internal bonus identifier is determined as being the same as
the external bonus identifier, the data terminal equipment with
the bonus specified by the internal bonus identifier.
A third aspect of the present invention is directed to
data terminal equipment connected with external data terminal
equipment used by a user who is entitled to receive the bonus for
data communications therewith. The data terminal equipment
comprises a bonus identifier storage for storing, as an internal
bonus identifier, a bonus identifier provided to uniquely
identify the bonus awarded to the external data terminal equipment.
The external data terminal equipment requests for a bonus-attached
file which is for the bonus, and including a bonus
identifier which uniquely identifies the bonus, and stores, as
an external bonus identifier, the bonus identifier included in
the requested bonus-attached file. The data terminal equipment
further comprises: a bonus identifier requesting part for
requesting the external bonus identifier stored in the external
bonus identifier storage; a determination part for determining
whether or not the external bonus identifier requested by the
bonus-identifier requesting part is the same as the internal bonus
identifier stored in the first bonus identifier storage; and a
bonus awarding part for providing, when the determination part
determines that the external bonus identifier as being the same
as the internal bonus identifier, the external data terminal
equipment with the bonus specified by the internal bonus
identifier.
These and other objects, features, aspects and
advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from
the following detailed description of the present invention when
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of a
data transmission system Sdt 1 according to a first embodiment of
the present invention. The data transmission system Sdt 1 roughly
includes a WWW (World Wide Web) server 11, data terminal equipment
21, and data terminal equipment 31. Herein, the WWW server 11,
and the data terminal equipment 21 and 31 are so structured as
to be accessible to the Internet 41. With such a structure, at
least the WWW server 11 can perform data communications with the
data terminal equipment 21 and 31 over the Internet 41. Moreover,
the data terminal equipment 21 and 31 can perform data
communications therebetween over a wireless transmission path 51.
The WWW server 11 is managed by an information provider,
who stores a bonus-attached file Fbonus1 (see FIG. 3B) in the WWW
server 11 responding to a request from the shop, and by using the
bonus-attached file Fnonus1, provides the shop details to the user.
The WWW server 11 includes, as shown in FIG. 2, a CPU (Central
Processing Unit) 111, ROM (Read Only Memory) 121, RAM (Random
Access Memory) 131, a form data storage 141, a bonus-attached file
storage 151, and a communications controller 161. The CPU 111
goes through various processes by following a computer program
(hereinafter, simply refers to as a program) Psrvr which is
previously recorded on the ROM 121. When executing the program
Psrvr, the CPU 111 uses the RAM 131 as a working area. The form
data storage 141 is typically composed of a hard disk drive, and
stores form data Dform1 (see FIG. 3A) in a storage location
specified by a predetermined first URL (Uniform Resource Locator) .
The bonus-attached file storage 151 stores a bonus-attached file
Fbonus1 (see FIG. 3B) in a storage location specified by a
predetermined second URL. The bonus-attached file storage 151
also stores a base file Fbase1 in a predetermined storage location.
The base file Fbase1 represents the background of the bonus-attached
file Fbonus1, and is used when the WWW server 11 creates
the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 (see sequence SQ8 of FIG. 6).
Here, the base file Fbase1 is used only by the WWW server 11, and
thus there is no need to assign a URL to indicate where the base
file Fbase1 has been stored. In accordance with the Internet
protocol, the communications controller 161 sends out various data
transferred from the RAM 131 to the Internet 41, or receives various
data transmitted over the Internet 41 and transfers the data to
the RAM 131.
Described now are the above described form data Dform1
and the bonus-attached file Fbonus1. With the form data Dform1,
such an input form Fin1 as shown in FIG. 3A can be displayed at
least by the data terminal equipment 21. The input form Fin1 is
so structured as to allow someone working in the shop (typically
shopkeeper or his or her employees) using the data terminal
equipment 21 to fill out items IT, which are needed to create the
bonus-attached file Fbonus1. In the below, anyone working in the
shop is simply referred to as a shopkeeper for convenience. As
to the items IT, to be filled out in the present embodiment are
four of those ITname, ITinfo, ITcob, and ITiob selected by the
information provider. Specifically, the item ITname is a shop
name, and the item ITinfo is shop information, including a shop
address, a phone number, or a map around the shop, or at least
two of those. The item ITcob is details of a bonus, which denotes
herein a merit awarded specially to the user who becomes the
customer of the shop. The item ITiob is a bonus identifier IDbonus
for uniquely identifying the bonus. With these four items IT
selected, the input form Fin1 is structured by four input columns
Cname, Cinfo, Ccob, and Ciob. The shopkeeper using the data
terminal equipment 21 fills out those input columns with,
respectively, a shop name (item ITname), shop information (item
ITinfo), bonus details (item ITcob), and the corresponding bonus
identifier IDbonus (item ITiob).
The input form Fin1 has a transmission button Btx1, a
function assigned to which is of transmitting the items ITname,
ITinfo, ITcob, and ITiob filled out in the input columns Cname,
Cinfo, Ccob, and Ciob to the WWW server 11. The transmission
button Btx1 is clicked by the shopkeeper using the data terminal
equipment 21. When the transmission button Btx1 is clicked, the
data terminal equipment 21 responsively transmits, to the WWW
server 11, item data Ditem1 (see FIG. 6) including those inputted
items ITname, ITinfo, ITcob, and ITiob.
Described next is the bonus-attached file Fbonus1,
which is created by the WWW server 11 using the item data Ditem1
and base data Dbase1. With the bonus-attached file Fbonus1, such
shop details INshop1 as shown in FIG. 3B can be displayed at least
on the data terminal equipment 31 side. The bonus-attached file
Fbonus1 herein represents a shop name (item ITname), shop
information (item ITinfo), bonus details (item ITcob), and the
corresponding bonus identifier IDbonus (Item ITiob).
Refer back to FIG. 1. The data terminal equipment 21
is an information device which is placed on the shop side, and
operated by the shopkeeper. The data terminal equipment 21
includes, as shown in FIG. 4, a CPU 211, ROM 221, RAM 231, an input
unit 241, an output unit 251, a bonus identifier storage 261, a
first communications controller 271, and a second communications
controller 281. The CPU 211 goes through various processes by
following a computer program (hereinafter, simply a program)
Psdte which is previously recorded on the ROM 221. When executing
the program Psdte, the CPU 211 uses the RAM 231 as a working area.
The input unit 241 is typically composed of both a keyboard and
a mouse, and therethrough, commands and data are inputted into
the data terminal equipment 21. The output unit 251 typically
includes a display, and externally outputs a processing result
of the CPU 211 as images. The bonus identifier storage 261 is
typically composed of a hard disk drive, and stores the above
described bonus identifier IDbonus. In accordance with the
Internet protocol, the first communications controller 271 sends
out various data transferred from the RAM 231 to the Internet 41,
or receives various data transmitted over the Internet 41 and
transfers the data to the RAM 231. Since often immovably placed
in the shop, the data terminal equipment 21 is preferably
accessible to the Internet 41 using digital subscriber lines, for
example. In accordance with the standard for the predetermined
short-range wireless communications, the second communications
controller 281 sends out various data transferred from the RAM
231 to the wireless transmission path 51, or receives various data
transmitted over the wireless transmission path 51 and transfers
the data to the RAM 231. Here, the typical standard for wireless
communications is Bluetooth.
The data terminal equipment 31 is an information device
typified by PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), navigation
devices, or mobile phones, and structured as being carried along
by the user, i.e., the shop customer. The data terminal equipment
31 includes, as shown in FIG. 5, a CPU 311, ROM 321, RAM 331, an
input unit 341, an output unit 351, a bonus identifier storage
361, a first communications controller 371, and a second
communications controller 381. The CPU 311 goes through various
processes by following a computer program (hereinafter, simply
a program) Pudte which is previously recorded on the ROM 321. When
executing the program Pudte, the CPU 311 uses the RAM 331 as a
working area. The input unit 341 is typically composed of a pen
or a keyboard, and therethrough, commands and data are inputted
into the data terminal equipment 31. The output unit 351 typically
includes a display, and externally outputs a processing result
of the CPU 311 as images. The bonus identifier storage 361 is
typically composed of a hard disk drive, and stores the above
described bonus identifier IDbonus. In accordance with the
Internet protocol, the first communications part 371 sends out
various data transferred from the RAM 331 to the Internet 41, or
receives various data transmitted over the Internet 41 and
transfers the data to the RAM 331. Here, the first communications
controller 371 is preferably structured as to be accessible to
the Internet 41 using mobile phones or public telephones for ISDN
(Integrated Service Digital Network) because the data terminal
equipment 31 is carried along by the user. The second
communications controller 381 sends out, in accordance with the
same standard as the second communications controller 281 for the
short-range wireless communications, various data transferred
from the RAM 331 to the wireless transmission path 51, or transfers
various data transmitted over the wireless transmission path 51
to the RAM 331.
Referring to FIGS. 6 to 8, described next is data
communications performed in the data transmission system Sdt 1.
Referring to FIG. 6, described first is data communications
between the WWW server 11 and the data terminal equipment 21. In
FIG. 6, the shopkeeper operates the data terminal equipment 21
to request the information provider to create and store a
bonus-attached file Fbonus1 for his or her shop. At the time of
such a request, the CPU 211 executes a process written in the
program Psdte responding to the shopkeeper's operation. More in
detail, the CPU 211 first accesses the Internet 41 (sequence SQ1).
Then, the shopkeeper enters the first URL through
operation of the input unit 241. The CPU 211 responsively
generates on the RAM 231 a request RSfd1 including the first URL,
and transfers it to the first communications controller 271. Here,
the request RSfd1 is a signal for requesting the WWW server 11
to transmit the form data Dform1 to the data terminal equipment
21. The first communications controller 271 sends out thus
received request RSfd1 onto the Internet 41. In such a manner,
a request is made for the form data Dform1 (sequence SQ2).
The request RSfd1 is forwarded over the Internet 41 to
the communications controller 161 in the WWW server 11, and then
transferred to the RAM 131. After the request RSfd1 is stored
in the RAM 131, the CPU 111 executes a process written in the program
PSrvr. To be specific, the CPU 111 extracts the first URL from
the request RSfd1 on the RAM 131, and then from the storage location
of the form data storage 141 which is specified by the first URL,
reads the form data Dform1 onto the RAM 131. Then, the CPU 111
transfers the form data Dform1 on the RAM 131 to the communications
controller 161. The communications controller 161 sends out the
form data Dform1 onto the Internet 41 (sequence SQ3).
The form data Dform1 is forwarded over the Internet 41
to the first communications controller 271 in the data terminal
equipment 21, and then transferred to the RAM 231. The CPU 211
transfers the form data Dform1 on the RAM 231 to the output unit
251. The output unit 251 performs a display process in accordance
with the received form data Dform1 so as to display on its screen
such an input form Fin1 as shown in FIG. 3A (sequence SQ4).
After the input form Fin1 is displayed, the shopkeeper
operates the input unit 241 to fill out the input columns Cname,
Cinfo, Ccob, and Ciob with, respectively, the shop name (item
ITname), the shop information (item ITinfo), the bonus details
(item ITcob), and the corresponding bonus identifier IDbonus
(item ITiob). As exemplarily shown in FIG. 9, the shopkeeper
herein presumably fills out the input column Cname with the shop
name "pub X", attaches a map image around the pub X to the input
column Cinfo as shop information, fills out the input column Ccob
with "20% OFF on meal charges" as bonus details, and fills out
the input column Ciob by "yyyy" as the bonus identifier IDbonus.
After completely filling out the input form Fin1 as such, the
shopkeeper clicks the transmission button Btx1 through the input
unit 241. Then, the CPU 211 creates the item data Ditem1 including
those inputted items ITname, ITinfo, ITcob, and ITiob on the RAM
231 (sequence SQ5).
Then, the CPU 211 stores the inputted bonus identifier
IDbonus to the bonus identifier storage 261 (sequence SQ6). Here,
the bonus identifier IDbonus stored in sequence SQ6 is referred
to as an internal bonus identifier IDbonus' in the below. The
internal bonus identifier IDbonus' is used in sequence SQ22 which
will be later described, so that details thereof are left for later
description. Here, the timing for sequence SQ6 is not restrictive
as long as being carried out after the bonus identifier IDbonus
is entered by the shopkeeper, and before sequence SQ22 is carried
out. In the above presumption, stored in sequence SQ6 is yyyy
(see FIG. 9).
Next, the CPU 211 transfers the item data Ditem1 on the
RAM 231 to the first communications controller 271, from which
the item data Ditem1 is sent out onto the Internet 41 (sequence
SQ7).
The item data Ditem1 is forwarded over the Internet 41
to the communications controller 161 in the WWW server 11, and
then transferred to the RAM 131. Then, the CPU 111 creates a
bonus-attached file Fbonus1 (sequence SQ8). To be more specific,
the CPU 111 reads the base file Fbase1 to the RAM 131 from the
bonus-attached file storage 151. Then, the CPU 111 arranges the
items ITname, ITinfo, ITcob, and ITiob included in the item data
Ditem1 onto each predetermined position on the background
represented by the base file Fbase1. In this manner, the
bonus-attached file Fbonus1 is created. Assuming that the items
ITname, ITinfo, ITcob, and ITiob are those shown in FIG. 9, the
bonus-attached file Fbonus1 will be the one shown in FIG. 3B.
Then, the CPU 111 allocates the second URL to the
bonus-attached file Fbonus1 on the RAM 131, and then to the storage
location of the bonus-attached file storage 151 specified by the
second URL, stores the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 (sequence SQ9).
This allows the user's data terminal equipment 31 to request the
bonus-attached file Fbonus1 in sequence SQ14 of FIG. 7.
After creating a storage completion acknowledgement
ASsc1, the CPU 111 transfers it to the communications controller
161. Here, the storage completion acknowledgement ASsc1 is a
signal including a message telling that the bonus-attached file
Fbonus1 is now stored in the bonus-attached file storage 151, and
is forwarded to the data terminal equipment 21. The
communications controller 161 sends out thus received storage
completion acknowledgement ASsc1 onto the Internet 41 (sequence
SQ10).
The storage completion acknowledgement ASsc1 is
forwarded over the Internet 41 to the first communications
controller 271 in the data terminal equipment 21, and then
transferred to the RAM 231. The CPU 211 transfers the storage
completion acknowledgement ASsc1 thus stored in the RAM 231 to
the output unit 251. The output unit 251 executes a display process
in accordance with the received storage completion
acknowledgement ASsc1, and then displays on its screen the message
included therein (sequence SQ11). This makes the shopkeeper
acknowledge that his or her request is now processed by the
information provider, i.e., the WWW server 11. Then, the CPU 211
cuts off access to the Internet 41 (sequence SQ12).
In the above embodiment, sequences SQ1 to SQ12 are
presumed to be gone through successively for convenience. This
is not restrictive, and after sequence SQ7 is through, the CPU
211 may cut off access to the Internet 41. This is because it may
take time to create the bonus-attached file Fbonus1, and if so,
the shopkeeper may have to wait long, and may be charged for extra
communications expenses. If this is the case, the WWW server 11
preferably transmits an e-mail including the same message as in
the storage completion acknowledgement ASsc1 to the data terminal
equipment 21. The shopkeeper thus can read the message whenever
convenient, thereby shortening waiting time and reducing
communications expenses.
Referring to FIG. 7, described next is data
communications between the WWW server 11 and the data terminal
equipment 31. Through operation of the data terminal equipment
31, the user browses the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 stored in
the WWW server 11. During such browsing, the CPU 311 executes a
process written in the program Pudte responding to the user's
operation. More specifically, the CPU 311 accesses the Internet
41 (sequence SQ13).
Then, the user operates the input unit 341 to enter the
second URL. The CPU 311 generates on the RAM 331 a request RSsd1
including the second URL, and transfers it to the first
communications controller 371. Here, the request RSsd1 is a
signal for requesting the WWW server 11 to forward the bonus-attached
file Fbonus1 to the data terminal equipment 31. The first
communications controller 371 sends out the received request RSsd1
onto the Internet 41. As such, a request is made for the
bonus-attached file Fbonus1 (sequence SQ14).
The request RSsd1 is forwarded over the Internet 41 to
the communications controller 161 in the WWW server 11, and then
transferred to the RAM 131. After the request RSsd1 is stored
in the RAM 131, the CPU 111 executes a process written in the program
Psrvr. To be specific, the CPU 111 extracts the second URL from
the request RSsd1 on the RAM 131, and from the storage location
of the bonus-attached file storage 151 specified by the second
URL, reads the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 onto the RAM 131. Then,
the CPU 111 transfers the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 on the RAM
131 to the communications controller 161, from which the received
bonus-attached file Fbonus1 is sent out onto the Internet 41
(sequence SQ15).
The bonus-attached file Fbonus1 is forwarded over the
Internet 41 to the first communications controller 371 in the data
terminal equipment 31, and then transferred to the RAM 331. The
CPU 311 then transfers the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 on the RAM
331 to the output unit 351. The output unit 351 executes a display
process in accordance with the received bonus-attached file
Fbonus1, and displays on its screen an image representing the shop
details INshop1 (sequence SQ16). In this manner, the shop details
INshop1 becomes available for the user to browse. Here, in the
present embodiment, the user is assumed to browse the one shown
in FIG. 3B.
After sequence SQ16, if the user decides to go to the
displayed shop, and if he or she wants to get the bonus offered
by the shop, the user operates the input unit 341 to instruct as
such. In response, the CPU 311 stores the bonus identifier IDbonus
included in the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 on the RAM 331 into
the bonus identifier storage 361 (sequence SQ17). Here, the bonus
identifier IDbonus thus stored in sequence SQ17 is now referred
to as an external bonus identifier IDbonus". The external bonus
identifier IDbonus" is used in sequence SQ22 which will be
described later, and thus is not described in detail here. In
this example, the external bonus identifier IDbonus" this time
is yyyy (see FIG. 3B).
After sequence SQ17 is through, the CPU 211 cuts off
access to the Internet 41 (sequence SQ18).
After sequence SQ18, the user carries the data terminal
equipment 31 with him or her to get services from the target shop,
and/or make purchases thereat. Here, the target shop is the one
displayed in sequence SQ16. In the present embodiment, it is
assumed that the target shop is the pub X shown in the shop details
INshop1 of FIG. 3B. The user receives the bonus displayed in
sequence SQ16 from the target shop. To receive the bonus, such
data communications as shown in FIG. 8 is performed between the
data terminal equipment 21 and 31.
In FIG. 8, the CPU 211 in the data terminal equipment
21 executes a process written in the program Psdte responding to
the shopkeeper's operation. In detail, the CPU 211 establishes
a connection with the data terminal equipment 31 in accordance
with the standard for the short-range wireless communications
(sequence SQ19). After such a connection establishment, the CPU
311 on the data terminal equipment 31 side executes a process
written in the program Pudte.
Then, the CPU 211 generates a request RSiob on the RAM
331, and transfers it to the second communications controller 281.
Here, the request RSiob is a signal for requesting the data
terminal equipment 31 to transmit the external bonus identifier
IDbonus" to the data terminal equipment 21. The second
communications controller 281 sends out the received request RSiob
onto the wireless transmission path 51. As such, a request is
made for the bonus identifier (sequence SQ20).
The request RSiob is forwarded over the wireless
transmission path 51 to the second communications controller 381
in the data terminal equipment 31, and then transferred to the
RAM 331. After the request RSiob is stored in the RAM 331, the
CPU 311 reads the external bonus identifier IDbonus" from the bonus
identifier storage 361 onto the RAM 331. Then, the CPU 311
transfers the external bonus identifier IDbonus" on the RAM 331
to the second communications controller 381, from which the
received external bonus identifier IDbonus" is sent out onto the
wireless transmission path 51 (sequence SQ21).
The external bonus identifier IDbonus" is forwarded
over the wireless transmission path 51 to the second
communications controller 281 in the data terminal equipment 21,
and then transferred to the RAM 231. Then, the CPU 211 reads the
internal bonus identifier IDbonus' from the bonus identifier
storage 261 onto the RAM 231. Here, the timing for reading the
internal bonus identifier IDbonus' is not restrictive as long as
it is after sequence SQ19, and before sequence SQ22. As such,
the RAM 231 stores both the internal and external bonus identifiers
IDbonus' and IDbonus". The CPU 211 determines whether the
external bonus identifier IDbonus" is the same as the internal
bonus identifier IDbonus' (sequence SQ22).
When the external bonus identifier IDbonus" is the same
as the internal bonus identifier IDbonus', the CPU 211 determines
that the user is the one visiting the shop due to the shop details
INshop1, and the procedure goes to sequence SQ23. Then, the CPU
211 executes a process of awarding the bonus to the user (sequence
SQ23). In the present embodiment, the user is assumed as visiting
the shop due to the shop details INshop1 of FIG. 3B, the external
bonus identifier IDbonus" stored in the data terminal equipment
31 is yyyy. Also, the target shop is assumed as being the one
in the shop details INshop1 of FIG. 3B, and thus the internal bonus
identifier IDbonus' stored in the data terminal equipment 21 is
yyyy. Accordingly, the user gets a bonus of 20% OFF on meal
charges. In sequence SQ23, specifically, the CPU 211 has the
output unit 251 displayed the resultant 20% deducted amount of
charge. The shopkeeper accordingly charges the user for the
amount displayed on the display 251.
After sequence SQ23 is through, the CPU 211 cuts off
the connection with the data terminal equipment 31 (sequence
SQ24).
Refer to sequence SQ22 again. In the case where the
external bonus identifier IDbonus" is not the same as the internal
bonus identifier IDbonus', the CPU 211 determines that the user
is not the one visiting the shop due to the shop details INshop1,
and thus sequence SQ23 is skipped and SQ24 is carried out. In
other words, the CPU 211 does not give the bonus to the user.
From the viewpoint of bonus award only to the users
visiting the shop due to the shop details INship1, it is more
preferable for the CPU 211 to go through sequence SQ23 only when
the external bonus identifier IDbonus" is the same as the internal
bonus identifier IDbonus'.
As such, in the data transmission system Sdt 1, the
bonus-attached file Fbonus1 includes a bonus identifier IDbonus,
which is stored in sequence SQ6 into the data terminal equipment
21 on the shop side as the internal bonus identifier IDbonus',
and stored in sequence SQ17 into the user's data terminal
equipment 31 as the external bonus identifier IDbonus". When the
user visits the shop, the data terminal equipment 21 receives the
external bonus identifier IDbonus" from the data terminal
equipment 31, and if determines it as being the same as the internal
bonus identifier IDbonus' stored therein, gives the user the bonus
in the bonus-attached file Fbonus1. Accordingly, the user has
no more need to print out coupons, and in this respect, the data
transmission system Sdt 1 realizes better usability than the
conventional.
Note that, in the first embodiment, the bonus is
exemplified by 20% OFF on meal charges. This is not restrictive,
and the bonus may be points to be provided according to the amount
of charge. In such a case, the data terminal equipment 21 or 31
calculates the user's points in total, and the shop
correspondingly provides the user with gifts or service. Such
a point service is also applicable to second and third embodiments
in the below.
In the first embodiment, the bonus-attached file
Fbonus1 is specifically for a pub. However, any other shops and
facilities whichever the user can visit are surely possible to
be included in the bonus-attached file Fbonus1.
Here, the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 may be assigned
with at least a bonus and the corresponding bonus identifier
IDbonus, by which the location where the bonus is available is
indicated. The bonus-attached file Fbonus1 may also include some
other types of information. For example, if the bonus-attached
file Fbonus1 is the one for a boutique, any information relating
to sales to be held thereat may be additionally included, or for
a vacationland, any information about their event schedule, and
if for any user gathering facilities such as movie theaters, any
information about the crowding level or the waiting time. Also,
the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 may include menu information or
bonuses of any specific celebrity's favorite restaurants, or sale
information or bonuses of any specific boutiques. This is also
applicable to the second and third embodiments in the below.
In the first embodiment, the data terminal equipment
21 and 31 exemplarily perform data communications using the
wireless transmission path 51. This is not restrictive, and a
wired transmission path, e.g., USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable,
may be used for the purpose. Alternatively, the Internet 41 may
be used for data communications of FIG. 8 between the data terminal
equipment 21 and 31. This is also applicable to the second and
third embodiments below.
In the above, the data terminal equipment 31 exchanges
the external bonus identifier IDbonus" with the data terminal
equipment 21 through the wireless transmission path 51 (sequences
SQ21 and SQ22 of FIG. 8). Alternatively, the following manner
is also possible for such an exchange. That is, the data terminal
equipment 21 and 31 are each provided with a card memory slot of
the same standard. Here, the card memory is typified by an SD
Card™, Smartmedia™, or a MemoryStick™. The data terminal
equipment 31 uses the card memory whichever inserted into its slot
as the bonus identifier storage 361, in which the external bonus
identifier IDbonus" is stored. Such a card memory is extracted
from the slot on the data terminal equipment 31 in the shop, and
inserted into the slot on the data terminal equipment 21. After
the card memory is inserted into the slot on the data terminal
equipment 21, the CPU 211 responsively reads from the memory the
external bonus identifier IDbonus" to the RAM 231. This is also
applicable to the second and third embodiments in the below.
In the first embodiment, the WWW server 11 exemplarily
performs data communications with the data terminal equipment 21
and 31 over the Internet 41 (see FIGS. 6 and 7). However, any other
networks as LAN (Local Area Network) may be used for the data
communications. That is, the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 may be
stored not only in the WWW server 11 but in any different type
of servers. This is also applicable to the second and third
embodiments in the below.
Also, in the above, the WWW server 11 exemplarily stores
the bonus-attached file Fbonus1. However, the data terminal
equipment 21 may be provided with a function of the WWW server
11 for storing and transmitting the bonus-attached file Fbonus1
to the data terminal equipment 31. This is also applicable to
the second and third embodiments in the below.
In the first embodiment, a single data terminal
equipment 21 is presumed for convenience to perform both data
communications of FIGS. 6 and 8. This is not restrictive, and
two of the data terminal equipment 21 physically differed from
each other may be provided, and one may be in charge of data
communications of FIG. 6, and the other data communications of
FIG. 8.
In the above, included in the bonus-attached file
Fbonus1 is exemplarily a bonus and a bonus identifier IDbonus
specifying the bonus. However, the bonus-attached file Fbonus1
may include a plurality of bonuses, and a plurality of bonus
identifiers IDbonus for each uniquely specifying the bonuses.
Here, if included in the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 is a single
bonus, a URL may be used as the bonus identifier IDbonus because
the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 and the bonus uniquely correspond
to each other. This is also applicable to the second and third
embodiments in the below.
In the above first embodiment, the bonus-attached file
Fbonus1 is created by the WWW server 11 using the items IT forwarded
from the data terminal equipment 21. Alternatively, the
bonus-attached file Fbonus1 may be created as below. That is,
the shopkeeper may create a draft of the shop details INshop1 for
his or her shop, and passes it to the information provider. Based
on the draft, the information provider creates the bonus-attached
file Fbonus1 representing the shop details INshop1 using a
personal computer, for example, and uploads it to their WWW server
11. In this case, there is no need for data communications as
shown in FIG. 6. Further, the shopkeeper hands the draft directly
to the information provider not over the Internet 41, and as a
result, the shopkeeper operates the data terminal equipment 21
less often. This is also applicable to the second and third
embodiments in the below.
In the case where the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 is
created as above, the bonus identifier IDbonus is stored in the
data terminal equipment 21 in the following three manners. In
the first manner, the shopkeeper specifies a bonus identifier
IDbonus when passing the draft of the shop details INshop1 to the
information provider. In response to the shopkeeper's operation,
the data terminal equipment 21 stores thus specified bonus
identifier IDbonus into the bonus identifier storage 261.
In the second manner, the information provider
allocates a bonus identifier IDbonus when creating the bonus-attached
file Fbonus1, and notifies the bonus identifier IDbonus
to the shopkeeper typically by an e-mail. In response to the
shopkeeper's operation, the data terminal equipment 21 stores thus
notified bonus identifier IDbonus in the bonus identifier storage
261.
In the third manner, the information provider allocates
the bonus identifier IDbonus when creating the bonus-attached
file Fbonus1. Because the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 indicates
the bonus identifier IDbonus as already described, if the
bonus-attached file Fbonus1 has been uploaded, the shopkeeper
operates the data terminal equipment 21 to browse the bonus-attached
file Fbonus1 for the shop details INshop1, and derives
the bonus identifier IDbonus therefrom. Responding to the
shopkeeper's operation, the data terminal equipment 21 then stores
thus derived bonus identifier IDbonus in the bonus identifier
storage 261.
Described next is a data transmission system Sdt 1' as
a modified example of the first embodiment. The data transmission
system Sdt 1' is different from the data transmission system Sdt 1
in the respect that the WWW server 11 does not include the form
data storage 141, and performed therein is not data communications
of FIG. 6 but that of FIG. 10. These are the only differences
therebetween, and thus FIGS. 1 to 5, and FIGS. 7 to 9 are referred
to for description in the below.
Prior to data communications of FIG. 10, the shopkeeper
has the information provider allocated a storage location of the
bonus-attached file storage 151 in the WWW server 11. At this time,
the shopkeeper is notified of homepage directory of the second
URL, which is described in the above. Here, the homepage
directory is the one determined by the information provider, and
specifies the storage location allocated to the shopkeeper.
In FIG. 10, the shopkeeper creates the bonus-attached
file Fbonus1 for his or her shop through operation of the data
terminal equipment 21, and uploads it to the WWW server 11. At
this time, the CPU 211 executes a process written in the program
Psdte responding to the shopkeeper's operation. In detail, the
CPU 211 creates the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 for the shop
details INshop1 (see FIG. 3B) in response to the shopkeeper's
operation (sequence SQ25). In more detail, the CPU 211 arranges
on the RAM 231 the items ITname, ITinfo, ITcob, and ITiob on the
background (see the first embodiment for details), creating the
bonus-attached file Fbonus1 for the shop details INshop1.
The CPU 211 then stores thus inputted bonus identifier
IDbonus (item ITiob used in sequence SQ25) on the RAM 231 into
the bonus identifier storage 261 as the internal bonus identifier
IDbonus' (sequence SQ26). Here, the timing for sequence SQ26 is
not restrictive as long as it is carried out after sequence SQ25,
and before the data terminal equipment 31 requests for the
bonus-attached file Fbonus1 (see sequence SQ14 of FIG. 7).
Next, the CPU 211 accesses the WWW server 11 responding
to the shopkeeper's operation to upload thereto the bonus-attached
file Fbonus1 created in sequence SQ25 (sequence SQ28).
More specifically, the shopkeeper adds his or her preferred file
name to the homepage directory notified by the information
provider through operation of the input unit 241, and specifies
the second URL for the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 to be uploaded.
The CPU 211 transfers the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 on the RAM
231 and the specified second URL to the first communications
controller 271, from which the received bonus-attached file
Fbonus1 and the second URL are sent out onto the Internet 41.
The bonus-attached file Fbonus1 and the second URL are
forwarded over the Internet 41 to the communications controller
161 in the WWW server 11, and then transferred to the RAM 131. After
the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 is stored in the RAM 131, the CPU
111 executes a process written in the program Psrvr. The CPU 111
then stores the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 on the RAM 131 into
the storage location of the bonus-attached file storage 151
specified by the second URL on the RAM 131 (Sequence SQ29). As
a result, the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 becomes available for
the data terminal equipment 31 to request.
After creating the same storage completion
acknowledgement ASsc1 as in the first embodiment, the CPU 111
transfers it to the communications controller 161, from which
thus received storage completion acknowledgement ASsc1 is sent
out onto the Internet 41 (sequence SQ30).
The storage completion acknowledge ASsc1 is forwarded
over the Internet 41 to the first communications controller 271
in the data terminal equipment 21, and then transferred to the
RAM 231. The CPU 211 then transfers the storage completion
acknowledgement ASsc1 thus stored in the RAM 231 to the output
unit 251. The output unit 251 then goes through a display process
in accordance with the received storage completion
acknowledgement ASsc1, and displays on its screen a message
included therein (sequence SQ31). With the message, the
shopkeeper can acknowledge that the bonus-attached file Fbonus1
is now stored in the WWW server 11. Then, the CPU 211 cuts off
access to the Internet 41 (sequence SQ32). Thereafter, data
communications of FIGS. 7 and 8 is carried out.
As such, in this modified example, the shopkeeper can
create freely the bonus-attached file Fbonus1 to suit his or her
preferences only by being allocated with the homepage directory
(i.e., storage location of the bonus-attached file storage 151)
by the information provider.
Described next is a data transmission system Sdt 2
according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
11 is a block diagram showing the structure of the data
transmission system Sdt 2. The data transmission system Sdt 2
roughly includes the WWW server 11 which is the same as in the
first embodiment, data terminal equipment 22 and 32, and a center
station 62. The WWW server 11 and the data terminal equipment 22
and 32 are so structured as to be accessible to the Internet 41,
which is the same as in the first embodiment. With such a
structure, the WWW server 11 at least can perform data
communications with the data terminal equipment 22 and 32 over
the Internet 41. The data terminal equipment 22 and 32 can perform
data communications over the wireless transmission path 51, which
is the same as in the first embodiment. Also, the data terminal
equipment 22 can perform data communications with the center
station 62 over a wired or wireless transmission path 72. Here,
the transmission path 72 is either a public line or a leased line.
The data terminal equipment 22 is an information device
which is, as is the data terminal equipment 21, placed on the shop
side, and operated by the shopkeeper. FIG. 12 shows the structure
thereof. Compared with the data terminal equipment 21 of FIG.
4, the data terminal equipment 22 of FIG. 12 further includes a
third communications controller 292. This is the only structural
difference, and thus any constituent of FIG. 12 identical to that
of FIG. 4 is provided with the same reference numeral, and not
described again. In accordance with the transmission protocol
for the transmission path 72, the third communications controller
293 sends out various data transferred from the RAM 231 to the
transmission path 72, or receives various data transmitted over
the transmission path 72 and transfers the data to the RAM 231.
Similar to the data terminal equipment 31, the data
terminal equipment 32 is an information device structured as to
be carried along by the user, the structure of which is shown in
FIG. 13. Compared with the data terminal equipment 31 of FIG.
5, the data terminal equipment 32 of FIG. 13 further includes a
personal data storage 392. This is the only structural difference
therebetween, and thus any constituent of FIG. 13 identical to
that of FIG. 5 is provided with the same reference numeral, and
not described again. The personal data storage 392 stores the
user's personal data Duser. Herein, the personal data Duser is
presumably composed of the user's credit card number, and the
valid date of the credit card.
The center station 62 is managed by a credit card
provider, and performs a billing process with respect to the user.
The center station 62 includes, as shown in FIG. 14A, a CPU 612.
ROM 622, RAM 632, a personal database storage 642, and a
communications controller 652. The CPU 611 executes various
processes by following a computer program Pss which is previously
recorded on the ROM 622. When executing the computer program Pss,
the CPU 611 uses the RAM 632 as a working area. The personal
database storage 642 is typically composed of a hard disk drive,
and stores therein a personal database DBuser (see FIG. 14B) . In
accordance with the transmission protocol for the transmission
path 72, the communications controller 652 sends out various data
transferred from the RAM 632 to the transmission path 72, or
receives various data transmitted over the transmission path 72
and transfers the data to the RAM 632.
The personal database DBuser stores personal data Duser
and status data Dstat for every user under contract to the credit
card provider. As a specific example, the personal database
DBuser is composed of, as shown in FIG. 14B, a plurality of unit
records Runit21, each of which represents a user's status report
of his or her credit card. The record unit Runit21 includes both
the personal data Duser and the status data Dstat. Specifically,
the personal data Duser is, as already described, composed of the
user's credit card number and its valid date. The status data
Dstat at least includes the date when the user used the credit
card, the shop name where the user used the credit card, and the
user's amount of charge (charged amount Cdisc or Cnoml, which will
be later described).
Described next is data communications performed in the
data transmission system Sdt2 . Data communications between the
WWW server 11 and the data terminal equipment 22 is the same as
that of FIG. 6, and not described here. Also, data communications
between the WWW server 11 and the data terminal equipment 32 is
the same as that of FIG. 7, and not described here either.
After sequence SQ18 of FIG. 7, the user goes to the
target shop with the data terminal equipment 32 to get services
from the shop, make purchases thereat, and receive the
corresponding bonus. In the target shop, data communications as
shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 is performed among the data terminal
equipment 22 and 32, and the center station 62.
In FIG. 15, the CPU 211 in the data terminal equipment
22 executes a process written in the program Psdte responding to
the shopkeeper's operation. More specifically, the CPU 211
establishes a connection with the data terminal equipment 32
(sequence SQ33). After such a connection establishment, the CPU
311 on the data terminal equipment 32 side executes a process
written in the program Pudte.
The CPU 211 generates a request RSiau on the RAM 331,
and transfers it to the second communications controller 281.
Here, the request RSiau is a signal for requesting the data
terminal equipment 32 to transmit the external bonus identifier
IDbonus" and the personal data Duser to the data terminal
equipment 22. The second communications controller 281 then sends
out the received request RSiau onto the wireless transmission path
51. In such a manner, a request is made for the bonus identifier
and the personal data (sequence SQ34).
The request RSiau is forwarded over the wireless
transmission path 51 to the second communications controller 381
in the data terminal equipment 32, and then transferred to the
RAM 331. After the request RSiau is stored in the RAM 331, the
CPU 311 reads the external bonus identifier IDbonus" from the bonus
identifier storage 361 onto the RAM 331. The CPU 311 also reads
the personal data Duser from the personal data storage 392 onto
the RAM 331. Then, the CPU 311 transfers, to the second
communications controller 381, the external bonus identifier
IDbonus" and the personal data Duser on the RAM 331. The second
communications controller 381 sends out thus received external
bonus identifier IDbonus" and the personal data Duser onto the
wireless transmission path 51 (sequence SQ35).
The external bonus identifier IDbonus" and the personal
data Duser are forwarded over the wireless transmission path 51
to the second communications controller 281 in the data terminal
equipment 22, and then transferred to the RAM 231. The CPU 211
also reads out the internal bonus identifier IDbonus' from the
bonus identifier storage 261 onto the RAM 231. Here, the timing
for reading the internal bonus identifier IDbonus' is not
restrictive as long as it is between after sequence SQ33 and before
sequence SQ36. In such a manner, the RAM 231 stores the personal
data Duser, and the internal and external bonus identifiers
IDbonus' and IDbonus". Next, the CPU 211 determines whether the
external bonus identifier IDbonus" is the same as the internal
bonus identifier IDbonus' (sequence SQ36).
If the external bonus identifier IDbonus" is the same
as the internal bonus identifier IDbonus', the CPU 211 determines
that the user is the one visiting the shop due to the shop details
INshop1, and the procedure goes to sequence SQ37. Then, the CPU
211 executes a process of awarding the bonus to the user (sequence
SQ37). Herein, similar to the first embodiment, the user is
assumed as visiting the shop due to the shop details INshop1 of
FIG. 3B, and the external bonus identifier IDbonus" stored in the
data terminal equipment 31 is yyyy. Also, the target shop is
assumed as being the one found in the shop details INshop1 of FIG.
3B similar to the first embodiment, and thus the internal bonus
identifier IDbonus' stored in the data terminal equipment 22 is
also yyyy. Accordingly, the user gets a bonus of 20% OFF on meal
charges. In sequence SQ37, specifically, the CPU 211 calculates
the resultant 20% deducted amount of charge, i.e., charge amount
Cdisc. The CPU 211 then creates, on the RAM 231, the status data
Dstat including thus calculated charge amount Cdisc, the date,
i.e., when the credit card is used, and the shop name. Here, the
shop name is assumed to be previously registered in the data
terminal equipment 22. Preferably, the CPU 211 has the output unit
251 displayed the charge amount Cdisc for the user.
After sequence SQ37 is through, the CPU 211 cuts off
the connection with the data terminal equipment 32 (sequence
SQ38).
In sequence SQ37, if the CPU 211 determines that the
external bonus identifier IDbonus" is not the same as the internal
bonus identifier IDbonus', the procedure goes to sequence SQ39
of FIG. 16. In sequence SQ39, the CPU 211 executes a process of
not giving the user the bonus, which is 20% OFF on meal charges
in the above example. In such a case, the CPU 211 makes no discount
on the user's meal charges in sequence SQ39, and the resultant
amount charge is derived as the charge amount Cnoml. The CPU 211
then creates, on the RAM 231, the status data Dstat including thus
calculated charge amount Cnoml, the date, i.e., when the credit
card is used, and the shop name. Preferably, the CPU 211 has the
output unit 251 displayed the charge amount Cnoml.
After sequence SQ37 is through, the CPU 211 cuts off
the connection with the data terminal equipment 32 (sequence
SQ38).
After sequence SQ38 is through, the CPU 211 establishes
a connection with the center station 62 (sequence SQ39). After
such a connection establishment, the CPU 612 on the center station
62 side executes a process written in the computer program Pss.
After sequence SQ39, the CPU 211 transfers, to the third
communications controller 292, the set of the personal data Duser
and the status data Dstat on the RAM 231. The third communications
controller 292 sends out thus received set onto the transmission
path 72 (sequence SQ40).
The set of the personal data Duser and the status data
Dstat is forwarded over the transmission path 72 to the
communications controller 652 in the center station 62, and then
transferred to the RAM 632. Then, the CPU 611 performs a billing
process (sequence SQ41). More specifically, the CPU 612 searches
the personal database DBuser in the personal database storage 642
for any unit record Runit (hereinafter, referred to as a target
unit record Runit') including the same personal data Duser on the
RAM 632. Once found the target unit record Runit', the CPU 611
fills the unit record Runit' with the charge amount Cdics (or
Cnoml), the date, and the shop name included in the status data
Dstat on the RAM 632. This is the end of the billing process.
After the billing process (sequence SQ41) is correctly
through, the CPU 612 generates, on the RAM 632, a billing completion
acknowledgement ASchar to indicate as such, and transfers it to
the communications controller 652. The communications
controller 652 sends out thus received billing completion
acknowledgement ASchar onto the transmission path 72 (sequence
SQ42).
The billing completion acknowledgement ASchar is
forwarded over the transmission path 72 to the third
communications controller 292 in the data terminal equipment 22,
and then transferred to the RAM 231. Then, the CPU 211 preferably
goes through a process of issuing the bill (sequence SQ43), and
the bill is handed to the user at the shop. After sequence SQ43,
the CPU 211 cuts off the connection with the center station 62
(sequence SQ44).
On the other hand, if the billing process (sequence
SQ41) is failed to be correctly completed, the CPU 612 generates,
on the RAM 632, an incompletion acknowledgement indicating as such,
and forwards it to the data terminal equipment 22 via the
communications controller 652 and the transmission path 72. In
response, the data terminal equipment 22 cancels all of the
sequences so far carried out. As to such a case where the billing
process (sequence SQ41) is not correctly through, no further
description is given here as is not the scope of the present
embodiment.
The credit card provider charges the user based on the
unit record Runit recorded on the personal database DBuser.
As described above, with the data transmission system
Sdt 2, the user can receive the bonus from the target shop as with
the data transmission system Sdt 1. Moreover, with the personal
data Duser previously stored in the data terminal equipment 32,
the user can receive services from the shop or make purchases
thereat with no cash payment. In this sense, the data
transmission system Sdt 2 has better usability.
Also in the second embodiment, the bonus may be points
given to the user according to his or her meal charges. In this
case, the data terminal equipment 22 or 32 calculates the user's
points in total, and correspondingly provides the user with gifts
or services. In the case where such a point service is the bonus,
with no discount on the user's meal charges in sequence SQ37, the
CPU 211 calculates the charge amount Cnoml, and the corresponding
points are provided to the user. On the other hand, if the CPU
211 calculates the charge amount Cnoml in sequence SQ39, no point
is provided to the user.
In the second embodiment, a single data terminal
equipment 22 is presumed for convenience to perform all of data
communications of FIGS. 6, 15, and 16. This is not restrictive,
and two of the data terminal equipment 22 physically differed from
each other may be provided, and one may be in charge of data
communications of FIG. 6, and the other data communications of
FIGS. 15 and 16.
In the above, the data terminal equipment 32 stores the
user's credit card number and its valid date as the personal data
Duser, and is provided with a function as credit cards. This is
not restrictive, and the data terminal equipment 32 may store the
user's bank account number and its PIN (Personal Identification
Number), and be provided with a function as debit cards.
Described next is a data transmission system Sdt3
according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
17 is a block diagram showing the structure of the data
transmission system Sdt 3, which roughly includes a WWW server 13,
the same data terminal equipment 21 as in the first embodiment,
and data terminal equipment 33. Herein, the WWW server 13, and
the data terminal equipment 21 and 33 are so structured as to be
accessible to the Internet 41, which is the same as in the first
embodiment. With such a structure, at least the WWW server 13
can perform data communications with the data terminal equipment
21 and 33 over the Internet 41. Moreover, the data terminal
equipment 21 and 33 can perform data communications therebetween
over the wireless transmission path 51, which is the same as in
the first embodiment.
FIG. 18 shows the structure of the WWW server 13, which
is managed by an information provider. Here, the information
provider is the one who stores a bonus-attached file Fbonus3 (see
FIG. 20B) in the WWW server 13 responding to a request from the
shop, and by using the bonus-attached file Fnonus3, provides the
shop details to the user. Here, compared with the WWW server 11
of FIG. 2, the WWW server 13 of FIG. 18 includes a form data storage
143, a bonus-attached file storage 153, and a conversion table
storage 173 as alternatives to the form data storage 141, and the
bonus-attached file storage 151. These are the only structural
differences therebetween, and thus any constituent of FIG. 18
identical to that of FIG. 2 is provided with the same reference
numeral, and not described again.
The form data storage 143 is typically composed of a
hard disk drive, and stores form data Dform3 in a storage location
specified by a predetermined first URL (Uniform Resource Locator) .
With the form data Dform3, such an input form Fin3 as shown in
FIG. 19A can be displayed at least by the data terminal equipment
23. The input form Fin3 is so structured as to allow the shopkeeper
using the data terminal equipment 23 to fill out items IT, which
are needed to create the bonus-attached file Fbonus3. As to the
items IT, to be filled out in the present embodiment are three
of those ITname, ITaddr, and ITnote selected by the information
provider. Specifically, the item ITname is a shop name, and the
item ITaddr is a shop address. The item ITnote is details of a
bonus, which denotes herein a merit awarded specially to the user
who becomes the customer of the shop. With these three items IT
selected, the input form Fin3 is structured by three input columns
Cname, Caddr, and Cnote. The shopkeeper using the data terminal
equipment 23 fills out those input columns Cname, Caddr, and Cnote
with, respectively, a shop name (item ITname), a shop address
(item ITaddr), and bonus details (item ITnote).
The input form Fin3 has a transmission button Btx3, a
function assigned to which is of transmitting the items ITname,
ITaddr, and ITnote filled out in the input columns Cname, Caddr,
and Cnote to the WWW server 13. The transmission button Btx3 is
clicked by the shopkeeper using the data terminal equipment 23.
When the transmission button Btx3 is clicked, the data terminal
equipment 23 responsively transmits, to the WWW server 13, item
data Ditem3 (see sequence SQ44 of FIG. 23) including those
inputted items ITname, ITaddr, and ITnote.
The bonus-attached file storage 153 stores the
bonus-attached file Fbonus3 (see FIG. 20B) in a storage location
specified by a predetermined second URL. The bonus-attached file
storage 153 also stores a base file Fbase3 in a predetermined
storage location. The base file Fbase3 represents the background
of the bonus-attached file Fbonus3, and is used when the WWW server
13 creates the bonus-attached file Fbonus3 (see sequence SQ46 of
FIG. 23). Here, the base file Fbase3 is used only by the WWW server
13, and thus there is no need to assign a URL to the base file
Fbase3.
The bonus-attached file Fbonus3 is described in more
detail. The bonus-attached file Fbonus3 is created by the WWW
server 13 using the item data Ditem3 and base data Fbase3 (see
sequence SQ46 of FIG. 23). With the bonus-attached file Fbonus3,
such shop details INshop3 as shown in FIG. 20A can be displayed
at least on the data terminal equipment 33 side. The bonus-attached
file Fbonus3 is written in POIX (Point Of Interest
exchange language). Details of the POIX are found, as of January
26, 2001, in http://mostec.aplix.co.jp/poix.html or
http://www.w3.org/TR/poix, and thus only any elements relating
to the bonus-attached file Fbonus3 are only described here.
The bonus-attached file Fbonus3 is indicated by an
element poi, and roughly composed of a shop name (referred to as
a target in POIX), a representative shop position, and shop
details. The shop name is indicated by an element name, and more
specifically, written by a sub-element nb. The sub-element nb
indicates the shop name in a specific form of <nb> shop name </nb>.
The representative shop position is indicated by an element point,
and more specifically, written by a sub-element pos. The
sub-element pos indicates the representative shop position, which
is defined by, at least, latitude and longitude. An element lat
indicates the latitude of the representative shop position, in
a specific form of <lat>latitude</lat>. An element lon indicates
the longitude of the representative shop position, in a specific
form of <lon>longitude</lon>. The shop details are indicated by
an element note, and written by letter characters. The specific
form of the element note is <note>bonus details</note>. In the
present embodiment, the element note indicates in detail the bonus
offered by the shop. Here, the element note may indicate the menu
of the shop in addition to the bonus.
Assuming here is that the bonus-attached file Fbonus3
includes such an element poi as shown in FIG. 20B, i.e., <nb> pub
X</nb>, <lat>35.50</lat>, <lon>135.75</lon>, and <note>20% OFF
on meal charges</note>. With such a bonus-attached file Fbonus3,
displayed on the data terminal equipment 33 is the shop details
INshop3 of the pub X in FIG. 20A. Here, in the shop details INshop3,
the representative shop position is at latitude 35.50° , and
longitude 135.75°. However, for the user's easy understanding,
the display shows the specific location of the pub X as its address
(see sequences SQ55 and SQ56 of FIG. 24). As the bonus for the
user visiting the pub X due to the shop details INshop3, displayed
is "20% OFF on meal charges".
The conversion table storage 173 has such a conversion
table Tconv31 as shown in FIG. 21A. Specifically, the conversion
table Tconv31 is composed of a plurality of unit records Runit31,
which are created on the basis of shop address, i.e., for every
item ITaddr. The unit records Runit31 each include the shop
address (item ITaddr), and the set of latitude and the longitude
indicating the representative position of the shop. Such a
conversion table Tconv31 is used when the WWW server 13 creates
the bonus-attached file Fbonus3 (see sequence SQ46 of FIG. 23).
Here, the conversion table Tconv31 is used only by the WWW server
13, and thus there is no need to assign a URL to the conversion
table Tconv31.
Refer back to FIG. 17. The structure of the data
terminal equipment 21 remains the same as described in the first
embodiment, and thus is not described again.
The data terminal equipment 33 is an information device
which is typically structured as to be carried along by the user,
i.e., the potential customer of the shop, and is provided with
a navigation function. Such data terminal equipment 33 is
typified by portable navigation devices. FIG. 22 shows the
structure of the data terminal equipment 33. Compared with the
data terminal equipment 31 of FIG. 5, the data terminal equipment
33 of FIG. 22 further includes, at least, a cartographic database
storage 3103, a receiver 3113, and a conversion table storage 3123.
These are the only structural differences therebetween, and thus
any constituent of FIG. 22 identical to that of FIG. 5 is provided
with the same reference numeral, and not described again.
The cartographic database storage 3103 stores a
cartographic database DBcart, which is composed of several
cartographic files. To each of the cartographic files, assigned
is a predetermined area which is defined by latitude and longitude.
The cartographic files each include image data for representing
the area assigned thereto, and road network data for representing
the road connections in the assigned area. The road network data
is, schematically, structured by nodes and links. The nodes
specify characteristic points (any of intersections, or curving
points on roads) in the road network, while the links each denote
a road between any two characteristics points.
The receiver 3113 is typically composed of a GPS (Global
Positioning System) receiver, and calculates the position of the
data terminal equipment 33 based on position information
transmitted from artificial satellites. The calculation result
by the receiver 3113 is defined by latitude and longitude, and
transmitted to the CPU 3111. Here, the GPS receiver is not
restrictive to the receiver 3113 as long as heteronomous
navigation is realized thereby. Here, heteronomous navigation
is an antonym of autonomous navigation, and means navigation by
which the position of the data terminal equipment 33 being a mobile
unit can be derived based on the position information provided
by any other positioning systems.
The conversion table storage 3123 stores such a
conversion table Tconv32 as shown in FIG. 21B. Specifically, the
conversion table Tconv32 is composed of several of a unit record
Runit32, which is created for every representative position Ptypc
of FIG. 21A. The unit record Runit32 includes the representative
position Ptypc, and the shop address (item ITaddr). Such a
conversion table Tconv32 is used by the data terminal equipment
33 for creating display data Ddisp (see sequence SQ55 of FIG. 24).
Thus described above are the structural differences
between the data transmission system Sdt 1 and the data
transmission system Sdt 3. By referring to FIGS. 23 and 24,
described next is the differences between data communications in
the data transmission system Sdt 1 and that in the data transmission
system Sdt 3.
Referring to FIG. 23, described first is data
communications between the WWW server 11 and the data terminal
equipment 21. In FIG. 23, the shopkeeper operates the data
terminal equipment 21 so as to request the information provider
to create and store the bonus-attached file Fbonus3 for his or
her shop. At the time of such a request, the CPU 211 executes
a process written in the program Psdte responding to the
shopkeeper's operation. More specifically, the CPU 211 first
accesses the Internet 41 (sequence SQ40).
Then, the shopkeeper enters a first URL through
operation of the input unit 241. The CPU 211 generates on the RAM
231a request RSfd3 including the first URL, and transfers it to
the first communications controller 271. The request RSfd3 is
a signal for requesting the WWW server 13 to transmit the form
data Dform3 to the data terminal equipment 21. The first
communications controller 271 sends out the received request RSfd3
onto the Internet 41. As such, a request is made for the form
data Dform3 (sequence SQ41).
The request RSfd3 is forwarded over the Internet 41 to
the communications controller 161 in the WWW server 13, and then
transferred to the RAM 131. After the request RSfd3 is stored
in the RAM 131, the CPU 111 executes a process written in the program
Psrvr. Specifically, the CPU 111 extracts the first URL from the
request RSfd3 on the RAM 131, and then reads the form data DForm3
from the storage location in the form data storage 143 which is
specified by the first URL onto the RAM 131. Then, the CPU 111
transfers the form data Dform3 on the RAM 131 to the communications
controller 161, from which the form data Dform3 is sent out onto
the Internet 41 (sequence SQ42).
The form data Dform3 is forwarded over the Internet 41
to the first communications controller 271 in the data terminal
equipment 21, and then transferred to the RAM 231. The CPU 211
then transfers the form data Dform3 on the RAM 231 to the output
unit 251. The output unit 251 then performs a display process in
accordance with the received form data Dform3, and displays on
its screen such an input form Fin3 as shown in FIG. 19A (sequence
SQ43).
With the input form Fin3 displayed, the shopkeeper
fills, through operation of the input unit 241, the input columns
Cnames, Caddr, and Cnote with the shop name (item ITname), the
shop address (item ITaddr), and the bonus details (item ITnote).
As exemplarily shown in FIG. 19A, the shopkeeper herein presumably
fills out the input column Cname with the shop name "pub X", the
input column Cadds with his or her shop address, and the input
column Cnote with "20% OFF on meal charges" as bonus details.
After completely filling out the input form Fin3 as such, the
shopkeeper clicks the transmission button Btx3 through the input
unit 241. Then, the CPU 211 creates on the RAM 231 the item data
Ditem3 including those inputted items ITname, ITaddr, and ITnote
(sequence SQ44).
The CPU 211 then transfers the item data Ditem3 on the
RAM 231 to the first communications controller 271, from which
the item data Ditm3 is sent out onto the Internet 41 (sequence
SQ45). The item data Ditem3 is forwarded over the Internet 41
to the communications controller 161 in the WWW server 13, and
then transferred to the RAM 131.
After the item data Ditem3 is stored in the RAM 131,
the CPU 111 creates the bonus-attached file Fbonus3 (sequence
SQ46). More in detail, the CPU 111 reads a base file Fbase3 from
the bonus-attached file storage 153 onto the RAM 131. Then, the
CPU 111 retrieves the item ITname (shop name) from the item data
Ditem3 on the RAM 131 so as to create <nb>shop name</nb> using
the element nb. As to the item ITnote (bonus details), the CPU
111 creates <note>bonus details</note> in the similar manner.
The CPU 111 then retrieves the item ITaddr from the item data Ditem3
on the RAM 131, and accesses to the conversion table Tconv31 stored
in the conversion table storage 173. Then, the CPU 111 searches
for the unit record Runit31 including the retrieved item ITaddr
(shop address), and from thus found unit record Runit31, reads
the representative position Ptypc onto the RAM 131. As to the
latitude found in the representative position Ptypc, the CPU 111
creates <lat>latitude</lat> using the element lat. Similarly to
the longitude found therein, created is <lon>longitude</lon>
using the element lon.
The CPU 111 then allocates thus created <nb>shop
name</nb>, <note>bonus details</note>, <lat>latitude</lat>, and
<lon>longitude</lon> each onto the predetermined position on the
background represented by the base file Fbase3. In this manner,
a bonus-attached file Fbonus3 is created on the RAM 131. After
assigning the second URL to the bonus-attached file Fbonus3 on
the RAM 131, the CPU 111 stores it in the storage location of the
bonus-attached file storage 153 which is specified by the second
URL (sequence SQ47). As a result, the bonus-attached file Fbonus3
becomes available in sequence SQ53 of FIG. 24 for the user's data
terminal equipment 33 to request.
After sequence SQ47 is through, the CPU 111 generates
a storage completion acknowledgement ASsc3 including the second
URL assigned to the current bonus-attached file Fbonus3, and
transfers it to the communications controller 161. Here,
together with the second URL, the storage completion
acknowledgement ASsc3 is a signal including also a message telling
that the bonus-attached file Fbonus3 is now stored in the
bonus-attached file storage 153. The communications controller
161 sends out thus received storage completion acknowledgement
ASsc3 onto the Internet 41 (sequence SQ48).
The storage completion acknowledgement ASsc3 is
forwarded over the Internet 41 to the first communications
controller 271 in the data terminal equipment 21, and then
transferred to the RAM 231. The CPU 211 transfers the storage
completion acknowledgement ASsc3 thus stored in the RAM 231 to
the output unit 251. The output unit 251 executes a display process
in accordance with the received storage completion
acknowledgement ASsc3, and then displays on its screen the message
included in the storage completion acknowledgement ASsc3
(sequence SQ49). This makes the shopkeeper acknowledge that his
or her request is now processed by the information provider, i.e.,
the WWW server 13.
The CPU 211 then extracts the second URL from the storage
completion acknowledgement ASsc3 on the RAM 231, and stores it
as the bonus identifier IDbonus in the bonus identifier storage
261 (sequence SQ50). The bonus identifier IDbonus is an
identifier for uniquely identifying the bonus included in the
bonus-attached file Fbonus3. Here, the bonus identifier IDbonus
stored in sequence SQ50 is now referred to as an internal bonus
identifier IDbonus'. The internal bonus identifier IDbonus' is
used in sequence SQ22 of FIG. 8 which will be described below,
and thus is not described in detail now. Here, the timing for
sequence SQ50 is not restrictive as long as it is carried out after
the storage completion acknowledgement ASsc3 is stored in the RAM
231, and before sequence SQ22.
After sequence SQ50, the CPU 211 cuts off the access
to the Internet 41 (sequence SQ51).
In the above, sequences SQ40 to SQ51 are presumed to
be gone through successively for convenience. This is not
restrictive, and after sequence SQ45 is through, the CPU 211 may
cut off access to the Internet 41 for a time. This is because,
as described in the first embodiment, it may take time to create
the bonus-attached file Fbonus3, and if so, the shopkeeper may
have to wait long, and may be charged for extra communications
expenses. If this is the case, the WWW server 13 preferably
transmits an e-mail including the same message and the second URL
as in the storage completion acknowledgement ASsc3 to the data
terminal equipment 21. Thereby, the shopkeeper can read the
message and know the second URL as the bonus identifier IDbonus
whenever convenient, shortening waiting time and reducing
communications expenses.
Referring to FIG. 24, described next is data
communications between the WWW server 11 and the data terminal
equipment 33. Through operation of data terminal equipment 31
carrying along, the user browses the bonus-attached file Fbonus3
on the WWW server 11. During such browsing, the CPU 311 executes
a process written in the program Pudte responding to the user's
operation. More specifically, the CPU 311 accesses the Internet
41 (sequence SQ52).
Then, the user operates the input unit 341 to enter the
second URL. The CPU 311 generates on the RAM 331 a request RSsd3
including the second URL, and transfers it to the first
communications controller 371. Here, the request RSsd3 is a
signal for requesting the WWW server 11 to forward the bonus-attached
file Fbonus3 to the data terminal equipment 33. The first
communications controller 371 sends out the received request RSsd3
onto the Internet 41, As such, a request is made for the
bonus-attached file Fbonus3 (sequence SQ53).
The request RSsd3 is then stores in the RAM 131 via
the communications controller 161 in the WWW server 11. In
response, the CPU 111 reads the bonus-attached file Fbonus3 from
the storage location of the bonus-attached file storage 153, and
transfers it to the communications controller 161. Here, the
storage location in the bonus-attached file storage 153 is
specified by the second URL in the request RSsd3. The
communications controller 161 sends out the received bonus-attached
file Fbonus3 onto the Internet 41 (sequence SQ54).
The bonus-attached file Fbonus3 is stored in the RAM
331 via the Internet 41, and the first communications controller
371 in the data terminal equipment 33. Then, based on the
bonus-attached file Fbonus3 on the RAM 331, the CPU 311 creates
display data Ddisp (sequence SQ55). More specifically, the CPU
311 extracts the representative position Ptypc from the
bonus-attached file Fbonus3 on the RAM 331, and accesses to the
conversion table Tconv32 (see FIG. 21B) stored in the conversion
table storage 3123. Then. the CPU 311 searches for the unit record
Runit32 including thus extracted representative position Ptypc
(latitude and longitude) , and from the found unit record Runit32,
reads the shop address (item ITaddr) onto the RAM 131. The CPU
111 then replaces <lat>latitude</lat> and <lon>longitude</lon>
in the bonus-attached file Fbonus3 with the shop address (item
ITaddr), whereby a single piece of display data Ddisp is created
on the RAM 131.
The display data Ddisp on the RAM 331 is transferred
to the output unit 351 by the CPU 311. The output unit 351 then
executes a display process in accordance with the received display
data Ddisp so as to display an image representing the shop details
INshop3 (sequence SQ56). This allows the user to browse the shop
details INshop3. Assuming here that the user browses the shop
details INshop3 of FIG. 20A.
After sequence SQ55, if the user decides to go to the
displayed shop and wants to get the bonus of the shop, he or she
instructs as such through operation of the input unit 341. In
response thereto, the CPU 311 stores in the bonus identifier
storage 361 the second URL of the current bonus-attached file
Fbonus3 as the bonus identifier IDbonus (sequence SQ57). Here,
the bonus identifier IDbonus stored in sequence SQ56 is now
referred to as an external bonus identifier IDbonus". The
external bonus identifier IDbonus" is the one used in sequence
SQ22 of FIG. 22 below, and is not described here in detail.
After sequence SQ57, the CPU 311 cuts off access to the
Internet 41 (sequence SQ58), and then determines that the user
as heading for the target shop, and thus starts to search for a
route from the user's current position to the shop (Sequence SQ59).
Here, the target shop is the one in the currently received
bonus-attached file Fbonus3. Referring to the flowchart of FIG.
25, the procedure of sequence SQ59 is described more specifically.
In FIG. 25, the CPU 311 sets a starting point and a
destination of a route to be searched (step ST591). As a specific
example of step ST591, the CPU 311 receives the calculation result
from the receiver 3113, and then sets the latitude and the
longitude indicated thereby as the starting point. Then, the CPU
311 extracts the latitude and longitude indicated by the
representative position Ptypc from the bonus-attached file
Fbonus3. Alternatively, the user designates the starting point
through operation of the input unit 341. The CPU 311 sets thus
designated starting point as it is. Even if so, the destination
is the one defined by latitude and longitude indicated by the
representative position Ptypc extracted from the bonus-attached
file Fbonus3.
After step ST591 is through, the CPU 311 reads, from
the cartographic database DBcart in the cartographic database
storage 3103 to the RAM 331, the road network data of an area needed
in the next step ST593 (step ST592). Read in step ST592 is the
road network data of a rectangular region including both the
starting point and the destination set in step ST581.
The CPU 311 then searches for an optimum route from the
starting point to the destination using the road network data read
in step ST592 (step ST593). To be more specific, the optimum route
is derived by using a route selection algorithm typified by the
Dijkstra's algorithm, and typically is a route which allows the
user to reach his or her destination in the shortest time or
distance. The CPU 311 creates route data representing, by nodes
and links, the optimum route derived in step ST593 (step ST594).
This is the end of the process of FIG. 25, and the procedure now
goes to a user's guidance process of FIG. 24 (sequence SQ60).
Referring to the flowchart of FIG. 26, the detailed procedure of
sequence SQ60 is next described.
In FIG. 26, the CPU 311 receives the calculation result
from the receiver 3113, and estimates the latitude and longitude
found therein as the user's current position (step ST601). Here,
as is well known, the position information transmitted from
artificial satellites previously includes an error, and thus it
is preferable for the CPU 311 to correct those latitude and
longitude based on correction information transmitted from a base
station accommodated in D-GPS (Differential GPS). If this is the
case, the data terminal equipment 31 requires a receiver
specifically for the D-GPS. To be prepared for a case where the
position information from artificial satellites cannot be
received, the data terminal equipment 31 is preferably provided
with a sensor for autonomous navigation. In the case where the
data terminal equipment 31 is specifically designed for vehicles,
typified example as a sensor for autonomous navigation is a
vehicle-speed sensor or a gyro compass. If the data terminal
equipment 31 is designed to be carried along (not for vehicles),
a pedometer or an azimuth sensor is a typical sensor for autonomous
navigation.
After step ST601, the CPU 311 reads, from the
cartographic database DBcart in the cartographic database storage
3103 to the RAM 331, the cartographic file for the area around
the user's current position (step ST602). For convenience, the
cartographic file reading is presumably never failed to be done
after step ST601. This is not restrictive, and procedure may skip
step ST602 as required.
Next, the CPU 311 creates guidance data (step ST603).
More in detail, the CPU 311 rips one specific cartographic file
on the RAM 331 for the display process on the output unit 351 this
time. As to thus ripped cartographic file, the CPU 311 then
applies a rendering process using a frame memory which is reserved
in RAM 331, and creates intermediate image data representing the
map to be displayed. From the route data derived in sequence SQ59,
the CPU 311 creates an object representing the route to the
destination (the target shop) from the current position estimated
in step ST601. The CPU 311 then blends to the intermediate image
data the route object and an object representing a pointer
pointing the user's current position together, thereby creating
the guidance data. The guidance data represents an image
resultantly derived by merging the user's current position and
the route to the destination on the map to be displayed, and is
transferred from the frame memory (RAM 331) to the output unit
351. The output unit 351 then performs the display process in
accordance with the received guidance data, and displays on its
screen the map onto which the user's current position and the route
to the destination are merged (step ST604).
Then, the CPU 311 determines whether the user's current
position is the same as the destination (step ST605). If no, the
CPU 311 determines that the user does not yet reach the target
shop, i.e., destination, and the procedure returns to step ST601
to repeats steps ST601 to ST604. On the other hand, if the user's
current position is the same as the destination, the CPU 311
determines that the user has reached the destination, and this
is the end of the process of FIG. 26, and data communications of
FIG. 24 is terminated.
After such a guidance process is through, the user gets
services from the target shop, make purchases thereat, and
receives the corresponding bonus. To receive the bonus, the data
terminal equipment 21 and 33 performs therebetween such data
communications as shown in FIG. 8, which is not described again.
As described above, with the data transmission system
Sdt 3, the user can receive a bonus from the corresponding shop
as with the data transmission system Sdt 1. Further, the data
terminal equipment 33 can make a guidance for the user to the target
shop. In this sense, the data transmission system Sdt 3 has better
usability.
If the data terminal equipment 31 is so designed as to
be carried along (not for vehicles), in step ST593, not only
searching for an optimum route from the starting point to the
destination, if the user needs to use any public transportation
such as trains, any helpful information may be displayed, i.e.,
timetable information about a station closest to the starting
point or the destination, train type (e.g., express, local) to
take, estimated time for reaching the closest station or the
destination, the estimated time taken to the destination, the fare
to the destination.
The data terminal equipment 31 may execute a process
of making a reservation at the shop after searching for the optimum
route from the starting point to the destination. Further, if
noticing that the user may not be at the destination at the
estimated time, or be at the shop in time before the reservation
time, the data terminal equipment 31 may notify the user as such
through display. In such a case, the data terminal equipment 31
may also executes a process of canceling the reservation or
changing the reservation time.
The data transmission systems Sdt 3 and Sdt 2 may be
combined together, and therewith, the user may receive services
from the shop, or make purchases thereat with no cash payment.
In the third embodiment, a single data terminal
equipment 23 is presumed for convenience to perform both data
communications of FIGS. 23 and 8. This is not restrictive, and
two of the data terminal equipment 23 physically differed from
each other may be provided, and one may be in charge of data
communications of FIG. 23, and the other data communications of
FIG. 8.
Also, in the above, in the case where the data terminal
equipment 33 guides the user to the shop, the data terminal
equipment 23 on the shop side may provide the user any bonus which
is considered better than the one in the bonus-attached file
Fbonus3.
Also in the above, responding to the request RSsd3 from
the data terminal equipment 33, the WWW server 11 may search for
any bonus-attached file Fbonus3 whose bonus is most advantageous
for the user, and the found bonus-attached file Fbonus3 may be
forwarded back to the data terminal equipment 33.
While the invention has been described in detail, the
foregoing description is in all aspects illustrative and not
restrictive. It is understood that numerous other modifications
and variations can be devised without departing from the scope
of the invention.
Claims (13)
- A data transmission system in which data communications is performed between first data terminal equipment (21) placed on a bonus awarding side, and second data terminal equipment (31) used by a user who is entitled to receive the bonus,
said first data terminal equipment comprising:a first bonus identifier storage (261) for storing, as an internal bonus identifier, a bonus identifier provided to uniquely identify the bonus awarded to said second data terminal equipment,a bonus-attached file requesting part (311) for requesting a bonus-attached file which is for the bonus, and including a bonus identifier which uniquely identifies the bonus; anda second bonus identifier storage (361) for storing, as an external bonus identifier, the bonus identifier included in the bonus-attached file requested by said bonus-attached file requesting part, anda bonus identifier requesting part (211) for requesting, through data communications with said second data terminal equipment, the external bonus identifier stored in said second bonus identifier storage;a determination part (211) for determining whether or not the external bonus identifier requested by said bonus-identifier requesting part is the same as the internal bonus identifier stored in said first bonus identifier storage; anda bonus awarding part (211) for providing, when said determination part determines that the external bonus identifier as being the same as the internal bonus identifier, said second data terminal equipment with the bonus specified by the internal bonus identifier. - The data transmission system according to claim 1, further comprising a server (11) for performing data communications at least with said second data terminal equipment, wherein
said server comprises:a bonus-attached file storage (151) for storing said bonus-attached file therein; anda bonus-attached file transmitter (161) for reading the bonus-attached file requested by said bonus-attached file requesting part from said bonus-attached file storage, and transmitting the file to said second data terminal equipment, wherein
said second bonus identifier storage stores, as the external bonus identifier, the bonus identifier included in the bonus-attached file transmitted from said bonus-attached file transmitter. - The data transmission system according to claim 1, wherein
said server further comprises a form data storage (141) for storing form data by which an item needed for creating said bonus-attached file can be inputted,
said first data terminal equipment further comprises a form data requesting part (211) for requesting, through data communications with said server, the form data in said form data storage,
said server further comprises a form data transmitter (161) for reading the form data from said form data storage responding to a request from said form data requesting part, and transmitting the data to said first data terminal equipment, and
said first data terminal equipment further comprises:an item data creation part (211) for creating item data including the item inputted based on the form data transmitted from said form data transmitter; andan item data transmitter (271) for transmitting the item data created by said item data creation part to said server, wherein
said server creates the bonus-attached file based on the item data transmitted from said item data transmitter. - The data transmission system according to claim 3, wherein
said form data is previously created to allow, at least, the bonus and the bonus identifier to be inputted on said first data terminal equipment side,
said item data creation part creates the item data based on the bonus and the bonus identifier inputted by the bonus awarding side, and
said first bonus identifier storage stores, as the internal bonus identifier, the bonus identifier inputted by said bonus awarding side. - The data transmission system according to claim 1, wherein
said first data terminal equipment stores said bonus-attached file, and transmits the bonus-attached file requested by said bonus-attached file requesting part to said second data terminal equipment, and
said second bonus identifier storage stores, as the external bonus identifier, the bonus identifier included in the bonus-attached file transmitted from said bonus-attached file transmitter. - The data transmission system according to claim 1, further comprising a server (11) for performing data communications with said first and said second data terminal equipment,
said first data terminal equipment further comprises a bonus-attached file upload part (211) for uploading, to said server, the bonus-attached file created by said bonus awarding side,
said server comprises:a bonus-attached file storage (151) for storing the bonus-attached file uploaded by said bonus-attached file upload part; anda bonus-attached file transmitter (161) for reading the bonus-attached file requested by said bonus-attached file requesting part from said bonus-attached file storage, and transmitting the file to said second data terminal equipment, wherein
said second bonus identifier storage stores, as the external bonus identifier, the bonus identifier included in the bonus-attached file transmitted from said bonus-attached file transmitter. - The data transmission system according to claim 1, further comprising a center station for charging, through data communications with said first data terminal equipment, said user if he or she receives a paid service or make a purchase on the bonus awarding side.
- The data transmission system according to claim 1, wherein
said bonus-attached file further includes a representative position of the bonus awarding side, and
said second data terminal equipment further comprises:a route search part (311) for searching for an optimum route from a starting point designated by said user to said bonus awarding side based on the representative position included in the bonus-attached file requested by said bonus-attached file requesting part; anda guidance part (371) for guiding said user to said bonus awarding side in accordance with the optimum route found by said route search part. - A data transmission method in which data communications is performed between first data terminal equipment placed on a bonus awarding side, and second data terminal equipment used by a user who is entitled to receive the bonus,
said first data terminal equipment comprising:a first bonus identifier storage step (SQ6) of storing, as an internal bonus identifier, a bonus identifier provided to uniquely identify the bonus awarded to said second data terminal equipment,
said second data terminal equipment comprising:a bonus-attached file requesting step (SQ14) of requesting a bonus-attached file which is for the bonus, and including a bonus identifier which uniquely identifies the bonus; anda second bonus identifier storage step (SQ17) of storing, as an external bonus identifier, the bonus identifier included in the bonus-attached file requested in said bonus-attached file requesting step, and
said first data terminal equipment further comprising:a bonus identifier requesting step (SQ20) of requesting, through data communications with said second data terminal equipment, the external bonus identifier stored in said second bonus identifier storage step;a determination step (SQ22) of determining whether or not the external bonus identifier requested in said bonus-identifier requesting step is the same as the internal bonus identifier stored in said first bonus identifier storage step; anda bonus awarding step (SQ23) of providing, when said determination step determines that the external bonus identifier as being the same as the internal bonus identifier, said second data terminal equipment with the bonus specified by the internal bonus identifier. - A computer program for data transmission in which data communications is performed between first data terminal equipment placed on a bonus awarding side, and second data terminal equipment used by a user who is entitled to receive the bonus,
said computer program comprising:a first bonus identifier storage step (SQ6) of storing, by said first data terminal equipment, a bonus identifier provided to uniquely identify the bonus awarded to said second data terminal equipment, as an internal bonus identifier;a bonus-attached file requesting step (SQ14) of requesting, by said second data terminal equipment, a bonus-attached file which is for the bonus, and including a bonus identifier which uniquely identify the bonus;a second bonus identifier storage step (SQ17) of storing, by said second data terminal equipment, the bonus identifier included in the bonus-attached file requested in said bonus-attached file requesting step as an external bonus identifier;a bonus identifier requesting step (SQ20) of requesting, by said first data terminal equipment, through data communications with said second data terminal equipment, the external bonus identifier stored in said second bonus identifier storage step;a determination step (SQ22) of determining, by said first data terminal equipment, whether or not the external bonus identifier requested in said bonus-identifier requesting step is the same as the internal bonus identifier stored in said first bonus identifier storage step; anda bonus awarding step (SQ23) of providing, by said first data terminal equipment, when said determination step determines that the external bonus identifier as being the same as the internal bonus identifier, said second data terminal equipment with the bonus specified by the internal bonus identifier. - The computer program according to claim 10, wherein said computer program is recorded on a recording medium.
- Data terminal equipment (31) connected with external data terminal equipment placed on a bonus awarding side for communications therewith, and used by a user who is entitled to receive the bonus, wherein
said external data terminal equipment stores, as an external bonus identifier, a bonus identifier provided to uniquely identify the bonus awarded to said data terminal equipment,
said data terminal equipment comprises:a bonus-attached file requesting part (311) for requesting a bonus-attached file which is for the bonus, and including a bonus identifier which uniquely identifies the bonus; anda bonus identifier storage (361) for storing, as an internal bonus identifier, the bonus identifier included in the bonus-attached file requested by said bonus-attached file requesting part, and
said external data terminal equipmentrequests, through data communications with said second data terminal equipment, the internal bonus identifier stored in said second bonus identifier storage,determines whether or not the internal bonus identifier requested by said bonus-identifier requesting part is the same as the external bonus identifier stored in itself, andprovides, when the internal bonus identifier is determined as being the same as the external bonus identifier, said data terminal equipment with the bonus specified by the internal bonus identifier. - Data terminal equipment (21) connected with external data terminal equipment used by a user who is entitled to receive the bonus for data communications therewith, comprising:a bonus identifier storage (261) for storing, as an internal bonus identifier, a bonus identifier provided to uniquely identify the bonus awarded to said external data terminal equipment, wherein
said external data terminal equipmentrequests for a bonus-attached file which is for the bonus, and including a bonus identifier which uniquely identifies the bonus, andstores, as an external bonus identifier, the bonus identifier included in the requested bonus-attached file, and
said data terminal equipment further comprises:a bonus identifier requesting part (211) for requesting the external bonus identifier stored in said external bonus identifier storage;a determination part (211) for determining whether or not the external bonus identifier requested by said bonus-identifier requesting part is the same as the internal bonus identifier stored in said first bonus identifier storage; anda bonus awarding part (211) for providing, when said determination part determines that the external bonus identifier as being the same as the internal bonus identifier, said external data terminal equipment with the bonus specified by the internal bonus identifier.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2001034415 | 2001-02-09 | ||
JP2001034415 | 2001-02-09 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1231556A1 true EP1231556A1 (en) | 2002-08-14 |
Family
ID=18898028
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP02002629A Withdrawn EP1231556A1 (en) | 2001-02-09 | 2002-02-05 | Data transmission system |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20020111861A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1231556A1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN1375779A (en) |
Families Citing this family (21)
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US8793160B2 (en) | 1999-12-07 | 2014-07-29 | Steve Sorem | System and method for processing transactions |
US7831467B1 (en) | 2000-10-17 | 2010-11-09 | Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | Method and system for retaining customer loyalty |
US7295999B1 (en) | 2000-12-20 | 2007-11-13 | Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | System and method for determining eligibility and enrolling members in various programs |
US7895098B2 (en) | 2001-03-01 | 2011-02-22 | Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | System and method for measuring and utilizing pooling analytics |
US8849716B1 (en) | 2001-04-20 | 2014-09-30 | Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | System and method for preventing identity theft or misuse by restricting access |
WO2002099598A2 (en) | 2001-06-07 | 2002-12-12 | First Usa Bank, N.A. | System and method for rapid updating of credit information |
US7266839B2 (en) | 2001-07-12 | 2007-09-04 | J P Morgan Chase Bank | System and method for providing discriminated content to network users |
US8020754B2 (en) | 2001-08-13 | 2011-09-20 | Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | System and method for funding a collective account by use of an electronic tag |
US7987501B2 (en) | 2001-12-04 | 2011-07-26 | Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | System and method for single session sign-on |
US8301493B2 (en) | 2002-11-05 | 2012-10-30 | Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | System and method for providing incentives to consumers to share information |
US7284016B2 (en) * | 2002-12-03 | 2007-10-16 | Emc Corporation | Client-server protocol for directory access of snapshot file systems in a storage system |
US8306907B2 (en) | 2003-05-30 | 2012-11-06 | Jpmorgan Chase Bank N.A. | System and method for offering risk-based interest rates in a credit instrument |
US8175908B1 (en) | 2003-09-04 | 2012-05-08 | Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | Systems and methods for constructing and utilizing a merchant database derived from customer purchase transactions data |
KR20050116095A (en) * | 2004-06-04 | 2005-12-09 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Image code utilizing method using mobile communication terminal with camera |
US7401731B1 (en) | 2005-05-27 | 2008-07-22 | Jpmorgan Chase Bank, Na | Method and system for implementing a card product with multiple customized relationships |
US8622308B1 (en) | 2007-12-31 | 2014-01-07 | Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | System and method for processing transactions using a multi-account transactions device |
US8554631B1 (en) | 2010-07-02 | 2013-10-08 | Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | Method and system for determining point of sale authorization |
CN102455188A (en) * | 2010-11-01 | 2012-05-16 | 英华达(上海)科技有限公司 | Satellite navigation pedometer |
CN102467710A (en) * | 2010-11-17 | 2012-05-23 | 盛乐信息技术(上海)有限公司 | System and method of releasing discount coupon through electronic reading platform |
US20150127447A1 (en) * | 2012-05-15 | 2015-05-07 | Nokia Corporation | Method and apparatus for coupon redemption based on connectivity and spatial configuration |
KR101437651B1 (en) * | 2012-08-03 | 2014-09-11 | 오세규 | Method for processing membership according to affiliated store registration request of client and apparatus for the same and system for the same |
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US20020010623A1 (en) * | 1998-09-08 | 2002-01-24 | Hewlett-Packard Company | System and method for publishing, distributing and redeeming coupons on a network |
US20020128903A1 (en) * | 1999-08-23 | 2002-09-12 | Kent Kernahan | Encrypted coupons |
BR0013923A (en) * | 1999-09-10 | 2003-07-15 | Richard Postrel | System and method for generating travel coupons |
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2002
- 2002-02-05 EP EP02002629A patent/EP1231556A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2002-02-07 US US10/067,368 patent/US20020111861A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2002-02-09 CN CN02118308A patent/CN1375779A/en active Pending
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CN1375779A (en) | 2002-10-23 |
US20020111861A1 (en) | 2002-08-15 |
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